A mother has spoken of the horrific moment she saw her young daughter flip 15-feet up in the air after being hit by a car.

Emma-Jane Elliott, 10, was struck last weekend on Loose Road, Maidstone, and has several broken bones as a result.

The child was walking back to her home in Regent Close, Tovil, with her family, including her mother, Natalie Stiller, after visiting a family member near Mote Park.

The group, including some of Emma-Jane's siblings and her baby niece, crossed the traffic lights at the junction for Armstrong Road on Sunday, November 24, at around 4pm.

After safely reaching the middle island, they were waiting for the green man again.

Unfortunately, the signal showed it was safe to cross for the second time and, as the youngster stepped out into the road, a car hit her.

Mrs Stiller said the driver had jumped a red light.

The 38-year-old said: "He came tearing down the road. It was like a nightmare. I was in shock, I didn't know what to do.

"I tried to get to her before she hit the deck but it was like I was moving in slow motion.

"When I first got to her she wasn't responding - we thought she was dead. My daughter was screaming. A few minutes later she came round.

"You watch all these things on the telly but you never expect it to be one of your own children."

The 10-year-old Park Way Primary pupil was rushed by ambulance to King's College Hospital where she stayed until Tuesday evening.

"When I first got to her she wasn't responding - we thought she was dead."

During her time there, she had an operation to correct a large hole in her thigh where you could see her bone.

She sustained several other injuries including a broken collar bone, fractured pelvis and cuts, bruises and grazes all over her body and head, and is currently in a wheelchair while she recovers.

Her mother said doctors told her Emma-Jane was lucky to be alive and said they believed her messy bun hairstyle and hoodie helped save her from a serious head injury.

Mrs Stiller is unsure when her daughter will be able to return to school.

She believes something should be done to protect pedestrians at the crossing.

"She isn't the first one to be hit there. It is a dangerous bit of road."

A 37-year-old man from Maidstone was arrested at the scene on suspicion of dangerous driving.

He has been released pending further investigation.

Investigating officers would like to speak to any witnesses who have not yet come forward or anyone with dashcam footage at the time of the crash.

Witnesses are asked to call police on 01622 604100, quoting reference 46/224980/19, or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111 or by completing an online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org

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