A SCHOOLGIRL has been airlifted to hospital after being knocked down as she crossed a busy road.

The seven-year-old girl was hit on Genesis Way, in Consett, between the town’s Tesco supermarket and Park Road, at around 1.30pm today (FRI).

She was taken by air ambulance to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, for treatment to a suspected broken bone, although her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

The driver of the car involved, a Citroen Picasso, was uninjured.

The road was closed for about 45 minutes while emergency services dealt with the incident.