A NINE-year-old girl has been left in a coma after being struck by a car while crossing the road – with a man arrested over the incident.
Bella Evans sustained serious injuries after the collision in Godley, Greater Manchester, on March 5.
Emergency services raced to the scene around 4pm, including police and paramedics.
The little girl had suffered a fractured spine, fractured pelvis and brain bleeds, according to Emma Cooper, a family friend.
However, she is believed to be in a stable condition.
A 47-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, said Greater Manchester Police.
The force is now urgently appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Speaking to Manchester Evening News with permission from Bella’s family, Emma said: “She has been in a coma since Wednesday.
“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.”
She added that Bella’s parents were “hellbent” on getting a zebra crossing installed in the area – with 1,000 locals already signing an online petition in support of the cause.
A police 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 in the wake of the incident.
It 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.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 2211 of March 5, 2025.
