A fundraiser has been launched for the family of a 10-year-old boy who was hit by a bus and left seriously injured.

Harrison Sahlah was taken to Kings College Hospital in London by air ambulance following the “horrifying” incident on Sandgate Esplanade near Folkestone.

About eight police cars, a fire engine and paramedics were also called to the scene at about 6.15pm on Saturday evening.

A friend has now set up a GoFundMe page, which has already seen more than £2,000 donated towards supporting Harrison’s family.

Harrison’s mother Kelly Sahlah told KentOnline today that she believes her son may have been hit in the head by the bus while he was “kneeling doing his shoe up on the kerb”.

“He only has a brain injury and head and facial injuries and no other injury, or even bruises or scrapes to the rest of his body,” she said.

“He has a significant head injury and until he wakes up we won’t know the extent of his brain injury.”

Stagecoach declined to comment on the exact circumstances of how Harrison suffered his injuries.

But a spokesman said: "We can confirm that a route 102 bus travelling towards Folkestone was involved in the incident on Sandgate Esplanade at around 6.15pm on Saturday.

"All our thoughts and well wishes are for the boy and his family. This is a horrifying incident for everyone involved and we are providing full support to the police investigation into what happened."

Police have confirmed they are investigating the incident.

Traffic was forced to turn in both directions to enable emergency crews to work following the collision.

Dozens of people could be seen watching the events unfold as police prevented people from using the pavement from the esplanade towards Princes Parade, Hythe.

Having landed on the beach, air ambulance crews could be seen on standby.

Ms Sahlah has also taken to social media to thank those who supported her family at the scene, including an off-duty paramedic who provided CPR.

A police spokesperson said: "Kent Police was called to a report of a collision involving a bus and a pedestrian in Sandgate Esplanade, Folkestone at 6.20pm on Saturday 29 June 2024.

“Officers attended along with South East Coast Ambulance Service and an air ambulance and the pedestrian, a boy, was flown to a London hospital."

The accident happened metres from where a seven-year-old boy was recently killed in a hit-and-run crash.

William Brown died when he was hit by two vehicles on the A259 Sandgate Esplanade in December.

Stewart Powell, 49, earlier this year admitted leaving the scene of an accident and will be sentenced at a later date.