Six-year-old boy seriously hurt in collision with bus

A father watched in horror as his six-year-old son was seriously hurt in a collision with a bus in Bilston.

The boy was struck by the single decker as he attempted to cross Lichfield Street in the centre of the town. He was airlifted to hospital following the accident yesterday at 3.45pm.

An eye witness, who asked not to be named, said afterwards: "He was crossing with his dad and another boy. The other child and the adult waited but the lad carried on into the road where he was struck by the bus.

"The driver immediately stopped and was very shocked. He did not appear to have a chance of avoiding what happened."

He was today being treated in Birmingham Children's Hospital, for serious but non-life threatening injuries. The boy was in collision with the Number 545 Bilston to Wolverhampton Banga Bus.

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman Claire Thomas said the boy suffered a fractured leg and suspected pelvic injuries. The driver of the bus was treated for shock and taken to New Cross Hospital.

Rajinder Banga from Banga Buses said: "Our driver is very experienced. Like all of us, he is very upset."