A HEADTEACHER has called for a crossing to be installed on a busy Basingstoke road after one of her pupils was left fighting for her life following an accident.

A 14-year-old pupil from Costello Technology College is still in a “serious” condition in hospital, nearly two weeks after she was involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Passat in London Road, Eastrop on Wednesday, February 9.

The teenager suffered multiple fractures and a head injury in the collision at about 8.30am, and was taken by an air ambulance helicopter to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Julia Mortimore, headteacher at Costello Technology College, in Crossborough Hill, said that the incident has again highlighted the need for a crossing in London Road for children on their way to and from school.

She said: “There is no proper crossing down on London Road which has been an issue for us at the school for a long time.

“As a school, we are looking to see what other pressure we can put on to try to get a more formal crossing at the road. The safety of the children has got to be of the utmost concern.”

It is the second time in a month that a pupil has been involved in a collision with a car. Thankfully, the pupil in the first incident only suffered minor injuries.

Ms Mortimore said staff and pupils at the school are concerned about the welfare of the Year 9 teenager, whose name has not been released.

She said: “It is a tough time and all the thoughts of students and staff are with the family at this time. We all hope for a quick recovery for the child concerned.”

Councillor Mel Kendal, executive member for environment at Hampshire County Council, also expressed his best wishes to the pupil, and added: “The county council is already considering measures to revise the existing traffic calming on London Road.

“In response to this serious accident, the county council's Casualty Reduction Partnership will review the findings of the police investigations, when they are available, and advise whether any proposals coming forward from this existing project could include specific measures to prevent a recurrence of this incident.”

No arrests have been made, but anyone with information on the crash is urged to contact PC Neil Lancaster, quoting Operation Gaida, at Farnborough Roads Policing Unit on 101.