A FATHER has backed a petition calling for a pelican crossing to be installed after his daughter was hit by a bus.

Twelve-year-old Scarlet Taziker was hit by a bus when she was on her way home from Turton High, while trying to cross Turton Road, Bromley Cross, near Shady Lane, last Friday.

Her dad Phillip Taziker, who was first told of the accident by the youngster's teacher, said there are no safe crossings nearby and something needs to be put in place before someone dies.

He said: “It’s lucky Scarlet wasn’t hit by a car because she could have ended up with broken bones or worst.

“It’s very important we have a safe crossing because there is inevitably going to be a death.

“We are struggling with it, because we could have lost our daughter.

“I am grateful to everyone who has supported us and seeing if our daughter is okay.

“I also hope the bus driver doesn’t blame himself because it’s just a very unfortunate casualty.”

Scarlet is still recovering with head injuries and bruised lungs, with no recollection of the events.

Kathryn Henderson has since created a petition to try and make it safer for children to cross Turton Road.

She previously campaigned in 2017 due to other incidents of a similar nature taking place.

Some of the main concerns residents have are that Turton High School is at one end, and Canon Slade School at the other, and there isn’t an appropriate area for children to cross.

Miss Henderson said: “The girl who was hit last Friday could have died. Does it take for a child to die before something is done?

“The thought of my son crossing the road near there fills me with dread. Many residents, including myself, choose to drive to school instead of walking because of that road. If it was safe to cross more people would walk, which would be better for the clean air impact.”

Previous proposals have been rejected due to concerns it is on a bend and there are no safe stopping distances.

But Miss Henderson and other residents have suggested this could be put on Rigby Lane, which is in the middle of Turton Road.

Cllrs Sam Connor and Amy Cowen have been in talks with residents about their concerns, and they say they support residents.

Cllr Nadim Muslim said: “We are aware of the petition and calls for a crossing along Turton Road.

“We’re arranging meetings with council officers so we can discuss the recent accident and look at the viability of a crossing to be put in place.

“This is something we want to get right, for the good of all residents of Bromley Cross.”

Cllr Connor and Cllr Cowen met with residents last week to hear first-hand their concerns, and a meeting is expected to take place with Cllr Muslim, and Bolton North East Mark Logan MP later this week.

The petition already has almost 400 signatures, after only being set up on Monday morning.

You can sign up to the petition here.