FIRST Bus said the teenager who was hit by a bus in Deansway, Worcester,”stepped into the road.”

The 14-year-old, named by friends as Lily Alves, was hit by a bus, near the Heart of Worcestershire College, at around 2.35pm on Monday.

Following the crash, First Bus told the Worcester News the teenager stepped into the road, just as the bus was passing through a green traffic light.

Sarah East, head of operations at First Worcester said: “One of our buses was involved in a road traffic incident. On approaching the pedestrian crossing with the traffic lights showing green for traffic to proceed, a person stepped into the road, just as the bus was passing through and collided with the bus.

“The pedestrian has been taken to hospital by the air ambulance, no other people were injured at the scene but our driver was shaken after experiencing the incident.”

Following the crash, friends and well-wishers posted messages of support on the Worcester News Facebook page.

Karina Boyden, who witnessed the crash alongside her partner, said: “People need to understand that it was an accident and that people are seriously traumatised by what has happened. I really hope this poor girl is okay, as well as the driver, her friend who also had to witness it and her mother.”

Meg Jones said: “I hope she’s okay.”

Tara Newest added: “Lily Alves love you my girl -see you soon.”

After the smash, the Nunnery Wood High School pupil was taken from Deansway in a land ambulance to Worcester Racecourse where she was airlifted to Bristol Children’s Hospital.

Deansway remained closed between All Saints Road and City Walls Road for several hours following the collision.

Motorists experienced delays and were advised to find alternative routes.

Police launched an appeal for information following the crash.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call police on 101, quoting incident number 425 of August 20 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.