A SCHOOLGIRL was fighting for her life last night after a car ploughed into children waiting at a bus stop.

Laura Salmon, 11, was reported to be poorly but stable in the intensive care ward at Middlesbrough General Hospital, where she was admitted with serious head injuries.

Laura, a first year pupil at The Northfield School, Billingham, was waiting to catch the school bus with friends when the incident happened.

Five other youngsters were injured, four girls and a boy all aged between 11 and 13. Among them was teenager Jessica Swales who suffered leg injuries.

A driver - a local man said to be in his early 20s - lost control of a red BMW in Bedale Avenue, Billingham. It mounted the kerb and slammed into the bus stop, where up to 30 youngsters were waiting for the bus.

Last night,he was released without charge after being questioned by Cleveland Police. Investigations are continuing.

Local residents who dashed to help are angry because they say the new bus stop and shelter should not have been positioned just off a bend in the road.

They are also organising a petition, demanding traffic calming measures, because of young speeding drivers.

Retired teacher and local resident Marie Wilkinson said: "This road is a nightmare, an accident waiting to happen. What happened today was awful. Something is going to have to be done about it.''

Wanda Davies, who lives across the road from the stop, is organising the petition. She said: "We want speed humps, something to slow the cars down.''

Her husband Niall, a first aider and one of the first at the scene, said: "On a night time, particularly, we see people in cars or on bikes shooting up and down. Some of those on bikes don't wear helmets.''

Niall tried to reassure injured Laura that everything would be all right.

Colleen Vargiu will be among those signing the petition. She said: "Cars are bombing up and down here all the time and they come bombing around that corner. That bus stop is in the wrong place. It was an accident waiting to happen.''

The bus stop had been moved from nearby Wharfedale Avenue.

Stockton Council said it was switched to its new position to fit in with a new bus route.

Northfield headteacher David Youlden said: "Our thoughts at the moment are with the pupil and her parents. We just hope she makes a full and safe recovery.'