A 10-YEAR-OLD boy has been airlifted to hospital after being knocked down in Rising Bridge.

The crash, involving a black Lexus car, happened around 3.40pm yesterday in Blackburn Road, near the McDonald’s roundabout.

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Police said the youngster suffered injuries to his shoulder and head.

The air ambulance was called and police closed off the road to allow him to be treated. He was then taken to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

A police spokesman said: “It is no longer being treated as a minor injury, but the extent of the injuries are unclear.

“It is looking like it was an accident.”

The spokesman added that the boy had just left a nearby school and his condition was described as serious.

A woman whose house overlooks the site of the accident said: “I was sat outside when I saw the car pull up with its wing mirror hanging off and knew something bad had happened.

“I don’t think it was his fault.

“It is a really dangerous stretch as you get people coming off the roundabout from the motorway.”

Another resident said: “I am just bothered about the lad. I hope he is okay.”

Rossendale West county councillor David Stansfield, who represents Rising Bridge on Lancashire County Council, said: “My thoughts are with the family at this time.

“I hope the young boy recovers and everything is all right.

“I do have grave concerns about the road in that area and the amount of traffic that uses it.

“I am also worried about the roundabout, where the grass is not being cut and it is so overgrown now that it obscures people’s view as they come around the corner.

“The county council, Rossendale Council and the Highways Agency need to get their act together to get something sorted out.”