A TODDLER was lucky to be alive last night after her mother accidentally reversed a vehicle over her.

The two-year-old girl was playing outside her grandmother's house in Dornoch Crescent, Windy Nook, Gateshead, on Saturday.

Without noticing her, her mother got into a Crysler Voyager people carrier and began reversing, trapping the child under the engine.

The toddler, who has not been named, escaped without serious injury after being rescued by firefighters. She was taken to Gateshead's Queen Elizabeth Hospital for a precautionary check-up.