Pimpama State Primary College student seriously injured after being hit by car

Witnesses have described “heartbreaking” and “emotional” scenes after a young schoolgirl was seriously injured when she was hit by a car on Friday morning. FULL DETAILS

A nine-year-old child has been described as being a “very lucky young lady” after surviving a horror accident in Pimpama on Friday morning.

The Pimpama State Primary College student suffered a “significant head injury” and internal bleeding after being struck by a car while attempting to cross the road at the junction of Augusta Boulevard and Dixon Dr at 8.22am.

Parents, students and teachers from nearby schools witnessed the scene, which many described as “heartbreaking”.

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QAS Operations Supervisor Jayney Shearman. Picture: Keith Woods.

Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) Operations Supervisor Jayney Shearman said officers reached the girl in less than ten minutes.

“There were a lot of witnesses, a lot of bystanders. It was a fairly emotional scene, as you would expect with a young child involved,” Ms Shearman said.

Ms Shearman said the girl was treated by paramedics before being rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

“Initially there was a period where the girl lost consciousness, but she did regain that and she actually improved significantly during the time that we were with her,” Ms Shearman said.

“The head injury was a closed head injury and as a result of that incident there was some internal bleeding.

“... She was transported with a High Acuity Response Officer and a critical care paramedic on board,” she said.

The girl was making her way to school at Pimpama State Primary College. Picture: Jerad Williams.

Parents of the young girl were alerted to the incident and raced to the hospital to be at her bedside, where she is expected to remain for some time while she recovers.

“She is doing exceptionally well,” Ms Shearman said. “Obviously she has suffered quite a significant injury and she will remain in hospital for a period of time where they can monitor her condition and decide what further treatment she will require.”

Ms Shearman added that the girl had been “lucky” not to be more seriously injured given the circumstances of the accident.

“She was extremely lucky, she’s a very very lucky young lady,” Ms Shearman said.

Witness Nat Hornby said the aftermath of the accident was “heartbreaking” to see.

“We drove past moments after it happened,” Ms Hornby said. “Seeing the poor little girl laying (there was) heartbreaking, as it was also for my daughter and her friend who were both shocked by what they witnessed before school.”

Pimpama State Primary College Principal Dave Hartley pictured last year. Picture: Jerad Williams.

The incident took place close to the child’s school, but outside the school zone.

However Ms Shearman appealed to drivers to also show extreme caution in any areas near schools.

“With the areas where there are young schoolchildren around it is imperative that there’s lots of eyes out,” Ms Shearman said. “Just have a look at what is around you at the time.”

Pimpama State Primary School principal Dave Hartley said the school held a special assembly on Friday morning to update students and teachers, a number of whom witnessed the incident.

“Guidance officers from Pimpama State Primary College and Gainsborough State School have been talking to students that identified they were upset and will continue to support students throughout the day,” he said.

Mr Hartley said that two of the school’s teachers were “immediately at the scene”.

A police spokesperson said the car involved in the accident had remained at the scene and investigations are ongoing.

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