Girl, 4, taken to hospital after being hit by car

A four-year-old girl is in hospital after a road traffic collision in Rochdale.

Shortly after 3.00pm on Monday (6 February), police were called to Albert Royds Street in Rochdale following reports a four-year-old girl had been in a collision with a silver Mitsubishi Carisma.

The young girl has been taken to hospital for treatment to a head injury. Her condition is described as serious, but stable.

A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of careless driving. He has been bailed until 4 April 2012.

Senior Investigating Officer, Police Sergeant Lee Westhead said: "A team of specialist officers are working to determine the circumstances of the collision.

“Our thoughts are with the little girl’s family, who are with her and being supported by Family Liaison Officers.

“It is vital that anyone who saw the collision to contact the police." 

Councillor Farooq Ahmed, who lives nearby, said: “There was lots of police there and a police helicopter. They cordoned the whole area off. It must have been really serious.

“Police were asking every vehicle if they had seen anything.”

Councillor Ahmed said he saw a bike on the island in the road. He added that one side of the road was shut until around 4.00am this morning.

He described the road as “very dangerous” and added: “There are some silly motorists that drive fast but it is a busy road and people just run across not using the crossing.

“I do drive slowly there because I know the danger but someone who is new or doesn’t use the road often will drive fast.

“We really need some sort of traffic calming or educating using schools.”

Anyone with information should call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.