A SCHOOLBOY remains seriously ill in hospital after being struck by a vehicle in Ramsbottom.

The 12-year-old was crossing Nuttall Lane when he was in collision with a Land Rover and suffered a serious head injury.

He had just got out of another Land Rover at the junction with Bolton Road West when the accident happened at around 8.40pm last Wednesday.

He was taken to Fairfield Hospital in Bury with a serious head injury and numerous fractures before being transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.

Yesterday, the boy, who has not been named, was described as serious but stable.

Eye-witnesses reported seeing the boy thrown several feet into the air near to the grounds of St Andrew’s Primary School.

The youngster was covered with a blanket before the emergency services arrived and he was stablised by paramedics at the scene before being taken to hospital.

The road was closed for several hours, about 100 yards from Bolton Road West to the top end of Nuttall Lane, while an accident investigation team attended.

One resident said: “Everybody was really shocked but it raises the issue of the fact that there’s no other way out for hundreds of residents on the estate.

“More than 20 years ago there was provision for another access onto Bolton Road West via Ripon Hall Avenue but that never materialised.”

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to call police on 0161 856 3573.