An eight-year-old girl is in a critical condition after being struck by a car outside her home in Dundee.
Witnesses said she had been among a group of children buying ice cream when the accident took place on Saturday evening.
The youngster was crossing St Fillans Road, in the city’s Ardler area, when she was hit by a black Ford Ka.
She was flung into the air by the impact as the vehicle apparently continued on down the road for a short distance before coming to a halt.
Emergency services rushed to the scene at around 9pm following the horrific collision, with the girl treated by paramedics before being rushed to Ninewells Hospital.
In the wake of the accident, residents said they had previously raised concerns about driving standards on the street, calling the police to report speeding car drivers and motorcyclists.
Residents said police had remained in St Fillans Road for some time to investigate the accident site and check for brake marks on the road.
None were visible on Sunday.
One resident said: “Some of the children were at an ice cream van when the accident took place.
“The car rounded the corner and hit the girl. She was thrown into the air by the impact.”
Another said: “The first we knew of the accident was the blue lights from emergency vehicles.
“We soon after heard that it had been serious.”
A statement issued by Police Scotland on Sunday appealed for witnesses to the accident to come forward.
A spokesperson said: “Police Scotland is appealing for witnesses to a serious road traffic collision that occurred in St Fillans Road, Dundee on Saturday night.
“The collision happened at around 9pm when an eight-year-old girl was struck by a black Ford Ka.
“The girl was taken to Ninewells Hospital where she is detained in a critical condition.
“Officers are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision and who has not spoken to police, or anyone who saw a black Ford Ka in the area at the time to come forward.”
In light of social media anger in the wake of the accident, the force clarified that the accident had not been a “hit and run”.
The speed of the vehicle has not been identified as a factor in the accident, but Ardler residents said they’d had concerns about driving standards in the area for some time.
One posted: “Unfortunately this was going to happen sooner or later.
“I’ve rang police 101 on several occasions regarding drivers racing and speeding on this particular road, plus the eejits that speed up and down on motorbikes that aren’t roadworthy.
“I live round the corner and saw a child near get knocked off his bike the other week because some idiot thought that they had rule of the roads.
“I hope the child makes a full and speedy recovery but it’s about time Dundee police addressed the issues of racing in the area.”
Anyone with information about the accident or the vehicle involved is asked to call Police Scotland on 101 or the Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
