Police patrolled the gates of a Newcastle school as children went home for the day - 24 hours after a crash that left a young girl with life-changing injuries.
A police presence remained outside Knop Law Primary School in Chapel House following Monday's shocking collision between a seven-year-old and a heavy goods vehicle.
The girl remains in hospital following the incident, which happened at 3pm as she made her way home from school.
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Police say she was involved in a collision with a tipper truck near the junction between Chadderton Drive and Hillhead Parkway, just 10 minutes after the youngest year groups at the school finish for the day.
One parent picking their child up on Tuesday afternoon said: “It’s awful, it doesn’t bear thinking about.
“Hopefully they’ll get some lollipop ladies back here. They used to have them but stopped.
“Hopefully this horrible thing will encourage them to do something about it.”
Earlier today, the school's headteacher Liz Simpson said: "It is with deep sadness that I have to confirm one of our children was involved in a road traffic incident outside of our school yesterday afternoon.
“She is currently in hospital receiving treatment for serious injuries and our hearts go out to her and her family at this terrible time. The whole of the school community is in shock at this sad news."
Ms Simpson urged parents not to speculate about the collision while it is being investigated.
She added: "I would like to pay tribute to the professionalism of emergency services who attended, and would request that people do not speculate about what happened while police carry out their investigation.
“The school is fully cooperating with the police and we continue to support staff, children and their families.”
Northumbria Police has launched an investigation into the incident, and officers are asking witnesses, or anyone with dashcam footage, to get in touch.
Anyone with information or dashcam footage is asked to contact Northumbria Police via the force's website or by emailing 2729@northumbria.pnn.police.uk.
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