A nine-year-old girl is in a coma after she was hit by a car while crossing the road.
Bella Evans suffered several small brain bleeds, plus a fractured spine and pelvis, according to a family friend.
A 47-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing a serious injury by dangerous driving.
Bella was struck in Mottram Road, Godley, Greater Manchester at around 4pm on March 5.
She was rushed to hospital where she is said to be in a stable condition
Police say her injuries are not at this stage thought to be life threatening or life changing.
Friend Emma Cooper, spoke to Manchester Evening News with Bella’s family’s permission.
She said the youngster has been in a coma since Wednesday, adding: ‘The hope now is to start bringing her out of sedation tomorrow so they can assess her injuries.
‘She needs to have a back brace put on because of the fracture in her spine
‘At this moment in time her parents are being inundated with messages and well wishes which is keeping them going.’
A Greater Manchester spokesperson said: ‘At 4pm on Wednesday 5 March we were called to reports of a road traffic collision on Mottram Road Hyde between a car and a pedestrian.
‘A 9-year-old girl was taken to hospital for further treatment. At this stage, her injuries are thankfully not believed to be life threatening or life changing.
‘A 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He has since been bailed pending further enquiries.
‘Police are now appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward.
‘They are also keen to speak to anyone who may have any footage, including dashcam, mobile phone footage from the area in the moments leading up to the collision.’
Emma has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Bella’s parents while they support their daughter during her recovery.
So far £1,600 has been raised.
The page reads: ‘As you may have heard a little girl was knocked down in Godley on Wednesday evening and is in currently in hospital with serious injuries.
‘I know many people have asked and I have spoke to Adele to tell her many people want to support her as I know they are going to be in hospital a while.
‘So I wanted to take the pressure off mum and dad having to worry about bills and hotel costs and just concentrate on Bella.’
Since the accident, an online petition has also been started by local residents calling for a zebra crossing to be installed in Mottram Road and the speed limit reduced to 20mph.
Anyone with information about the accident can contact police on 101, quoting reference number 2211 of March 5, 2025.
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