A MOTHER was airlifted to hospital after being hit by a car as she crossed the road with her baby in a pushchair.

Local residents rushed to help after hearing the collision in Higher Swan Lane, Great Lever, at about 12.10pm yesterday.

They told how she was screaming in pain and asking if her baby was okay.

The woman, in her 30s, lives in nearby Burwell Close.

The baby boy, who is thought to be nine months old, suffered a graze to his face.

The woman was taken to hospital and police have said her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “She was conscious and asking about her baby. Someone carried the baby over in the pushchair to show her he was okay.

“We heard the bang and looked out and saw there were people gathered around and we called an ambulance. The woman was screaming in pain. The air ambulance landed in the field.”

Neighbours said that traffic calming measures are needed on the road.

Abdul Patel, aged 45, of Higher Swan Lane, said: “She was hit by a car and went flying. She was screaming so much.

“This road is really bad down here. We need speed camera or something.”

Shabbir Amka, aged 39, of St Philip’s Avenue, added: “We need traffic lights on this road because it is so dangerous.

“It is near a school and the Islamic Centre. It is busy all the time.”

A spokesman for the North West Air Ambulance said: “We attended and flew the patient, a female, aged in her 30s, to Manchester Hospital.”

A police spokesman said that the incident is being investigated by the Serious Collision Investigation Unit.

The road was closed for three hours.