A NINE-YEAR-OLD girl was fighting for her life in hospital today after an accident on a road condemned as an accident blackspot by residents.

The girl was crossing Crompton Way with a school friend near its junction with Green Way, Hall i'th' Wood, shortly before 6pm last night when she was involved in an accident with a car.

The girl, from Breightmet, suffered head and multiple injuries in the accident with a Ford Fiesta XR2 travelling towards Astley Bridge.

Residents -- including a man who was visiting his brother's house nearby -- heard screams and ran out of their homes to treat the injured girl before paramedics arrived.

She was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital for emergency treatment before she was transferred to the specialist Royal Manchester Children's Hospital at Pendlebury. A hospital spokesman today said she was "very poorly" in the intensive care unit.

The accident happened just yards from Astley Bridge police station on a dual carriageway which has a speed limit of 40mph. It is the latest in a spate of accidents on the same stretch of road over the last 30 years, residents claim.

Police have revealed that the girl, who they have not identified, was crossing the road with an eight-year-old school friend girl who was left very shaken but who was not injured.

Both girls are pupils at Red Lane County Primary School, Breightmet.

Headteacher David Johnson said earlier today: "We have not yet told the pupils about the accident but are planning to do so during assembly tomorrow.

"The teachers are shocked at this very tragic situation and we pray for a full recovery."

The car driver, a 29-year-old man from Little Hulton, was shocked but otherwise not injured.

Horrified residents today called for better safety measures on Crompton Way. One resident who lives near the accident said: "It is terrible, there are always accidents here, and it is getting worse."

Rita Lilley, chairman of Hall 'i th' Wood Resident's Association added her voice to concerns about Crompton Way.

She said: "It is about time something was done. They are talking about building properties on the United Utilities site and that is just going to add to the problem. Something should be done to lower the speed limit."

The stretch of Crompton Way from Tonge Moor Road to Blackburn Road was closed last night for nearly an hour as investigators examined the scene before one lane each way was opened.

The road was fully re-opened at about 8.45pm.

Anyone who saw the accident involving the Ford Fiesta, reg J916 MVM, is asked to contact the Bolton Police traffic unit, tel: 0161 856 5972.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident.

Sgt Ken Carter from Bolton Traffic said: "We don't have any witnesses to the accident except the eight-year-old girl who was with her.

"We would like anyone who saw the accident or the car and the girl prior to the collision to contact us.

"The girl's family are by her bedside in hospital."

Anyone who saw the accident involving the Ford Fiesta car, registered J916 MVM, is asked to contact the Bolton Police traffic unit, tel: 0161 856 5972.