A TEENAGE schoolgirl suffered severe head injuries when she was hit by a van.

The 14-year-old girl was knocked over just opposite the Hinkler Pub in Hinkler Road, Thornhill, at about 3.20pm yesterday, as she headed home from school.

She is understood to be an Oasis Mayfield Academy pupil.

Police say she walked out from behind a bus she had just got off and into the path of the white Ford Transit van.

The teenager regained consciousness at the scene and was taken to Southampton General Hospital where she remained last night in the paediatric intensive care ward with her family at her bedside.

Police said last night the girl was said to be in a serious but stable condition. Acting Serg-eant Phil Constable said: “Having had CT scans, she is said to be no longer in a life-threatening condition.”

The van driver was uninjured. Police say he will not face any charges. Acting Sgt Constable said: “He did nothing wrong and took all the avoiding action that he possibly could.”

Hinkler Road was closed between Warburton Road and Marston Road for about four hours.

Hinkler Pub landlord John Horrocks said: “People were in shock at first before the ambulance came. Her mum came later. The van driver was very shaken afterwards.”

But pub landlady Tracey Atwood said local people were angry there was no zebra crossing at the spot where the accident happened. Children regularly cross there on their way to school or to play in the park.

Ms Atwood said: “People are talking of starting a petition. We need a crossing.”