A TEN-year-old schoolgirl who was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after an accident is still in a serious but stable condition.

As reported in yesterday's Daily Echo the young pedestrian was hit by a silver 4x4 Mitsibushi which had been travelling in Wide Lane towards Southampton.

The girl, who is not being named and is from the Portswood area, was crossing Wide Lane, near the Ford Transit factory.

She was rushed to Southampton General Hospital with what were first reported to be life threatening injuries.

The girl had a broken arm, and head and pelvic injuries. Yesterday her condition was described as serious but stable.

The driver, a 25-year-old man from Southampton, and his wife were also taken to hospital where they were treated for shock.

The accident happened at 12.30pm on Sunday and the road - which is a major route between Eastleigh and Southampton - was closed for about three hours while police traffic investigators examined the scene.

Pensioners Ron and Trudy Sharp, both aged 82, said the near tragedy had come close to their front door and took immediate action as soon as they knew what had happened.

Mrs Sharp said: "It was about 12.30pm. My husband was in the garden and I was standing in the hallway when I heard a terrible screech.

"Ron called out to me 'dial 999, there has been an accident'.

"I rang 999 and the operator asked me if she was breathing. I ran out and saw the little girl was lying in the road, curled up and near the kerb by the lamp post. She was crying out and seemed to be in great pain. She seemed to be semi-conscious. She had a gash on her head."

Mrs Sharp spoke of how everyone rallied around and comforted the injured youngster. Someone kept her warm by putting a cardigan ove her.

The emergency services were quickly on the scene. Mrs Sharp added: "There was a lot of activity throughout the afternoon with people measuring up the road."

Mrs Sharp said: "It made our stomachs turnwhen we saw what happened to the little girl. We just hope she will be alright."

Meanwhile police are appealing for any witnesses to the collision or anyone who saw the vehicle or the girl prior to the incident appealed to contact the Eastleigh Road Protection Unit on 0845 045 4545 or Crimestoppers on 0800555111. The officers in the case are Sgt Paula Hennigham and PC Guy Rippon.