Otahuhu schoolgirls hit by car: Pair remain in hospital

The scene of the accident in Otahuhu. Photo / Daniel Hines

One of three young girls who were injured after being hit by a car as they walked to school yesterday morning is back at home recovering.

The girls - sisters aged 5 and 10, and a 5-year-old friend - were crossing Great South Rd near the traffic light intersection at Station Rd when they were struck by a car around 8.45am.

It is believed they darted out between cars stopped at the traffic lights, and were struck by a car turning onto Great South Rd.

All three were taken to Kidz First Children's Hospital at Middlemore Hospital, two in a serious condition, and one in a moderate condition.

This morning, a spokeswoman for the hospital said one the of girls had been discharged.

The other two girls remain in hospital, one in Kidz First, while the other has been transferred to Starship Children's Hospital. They were both in a stable condition, the spokeswoman said.

Yesterday, Sergeant Matt Child said the trio were crossing the road about two cars back from the pedestrian crossing, and walked in front of a stationary truck that was waiting in the right-hand lane. As the traffic light turned green, a car turned left and hit the children as they emerged from in front of the truck.

Safekids Aotearoa has urged drivers to be more careful around school zones and be more alert for children, while one of the responding officers to the scene advised parents to accompany young children on the walk to school.