A toddler plunged from a moving car before being ploughed into by a passing motor.
The 20-month-old girl fell from the rear door of a yellow Toyota Prius onto the road, before being hit by a maroon Peugeot driving in the opposite direction.
She was rushed to hospital with serious head injuries and two men, believed to be the driver and a passenger in the Toyota, have been arrested on drug-driving offences by cops.
The driver of the Peugeot, a woman in her 50s, was not injured and has not been arrested, police said.
The shocking incident happened at around 3pm yesterday at Eastgate Retail Park in Accrington, Lancs.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and found with youngster with head injuries.
She was later taken to Manchester Children's Hospital for treatment.
The road was closed as the yellow Toyota, believed to be a taxi, was towed and cops probing the crash carried out inquiries.
Two men aged 32 and 29, both from Accrington, were arrested on suspicion of drug-driving and are being held in custody to be quizzed by cops.
Det Insp Paul Langley, of Lancashire Police, said: "We are appealing for any witnesses following a road traffic accent in Accrington.
"A 20-month-old girl is believed to have fallen from inside a yellow Toyota Prius into the road before being involved in a collision with another vehicle.
"The girl is currently receiving medical treatment to establish the seriousness of the injuries.
"We would appeal for any witnesses who may have seen what happened or who have dash cam footage of the incident.
"Furthermore, if you saw the yellow Prius in the car park before the collision, please get in touch."
Anyone with information can is urged to call police on 101 or email 392@lancashire.pnn.police.uk quoting log 0904 of August 29.
