THIS shocking CCTV footage shows how a 12-year-old girl was lucky to survive being hit by a car then dragged under a bus in Gravesend.

The video captures Jade Phillips, who attends St John’s Catholic Comprehensive School, crossing the road towards a parade of shops when she was knocked into the path of the Arriva 480 bus during the busy school run.

Please note the video below shows the actual crash. You should not watch if you do not wish to see this. Some people may find the video distressing.

A schoolboy is seen dashing out of K’s Convenience Store, where the footage is shot, and desperately trying to find Jade who became wedged under the bus and dragged along Rochester Road for about five metres.

Emergency services were called to Rochester Road - between Empress Road and Old Road East - at 8.15am last Wednesday. (Mar 6)

Firefighters used air bags to release the young girl before she was rushed to King’s College Hospital in London with a fractured skull and broken collarbone.

Jade remains in hospital, where she is likely to stay for several weeks, and is conscious and talking but still in a serious condition.

Chris Sofroniou, 50, who owns Papa’s fish and chip shop, yards from where the crash happened, rushed out to try to help the stranded girl.

He told News Shopper: “When I came out I saw a girl wedged under the bus, next to the front wheels, plastered in blood.

“She was face down on the road. All you could see was the top of her buttocks.”

Kevin Clinton, head of road safety for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: "In very busy areas like this, it is really important for everyone to be concentrating and to be patient.

"Pedestrians should take their time and find a safe place to cross the road.

"It is even more important for drivers to be aware that pedestrians, especially children, may well make mistakes and drivers need to anticipate that and in particular, watch their speed.”

Kent Police officers shut Rochester Road Milton Road and East Milton Road at the junction with Rochester Road.

Anyone with information is asked to call the serious collision investigation unit on 01622 798538 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Editor's comment

First and foremost, I want to wish Jade a full and speedy recovery.

I do understand stacks of people, not just family and friends, feel strongly about News Shopper’s coverage of this story.

I also realise that not everyone will agree, but I assure you we did think long and hard before publishing this story and video.

We understand it is shocking, but in the end we felt that if it might actually save another child’s life it had to be done.

Many people have expressed their concerns about this road and asked us to speak to local schools about safety.

We will now do all we can to campaign for better road safety in this area.