Police have blasted on-lookers at a road accident who delayed an air ambulance landing to take a seriously injured girl to hospital.

The incident happened at around 4pm on Monday when a 12-year-old girl stepped off the roundabout island to cross Cliveden Road near Chester and was struck by a silver Vauxhall Vectra.

She received serious injuries and was taken to Alderhey Children′s Hospital by helicopter.

Sergeant Rachel Gallagher said: “Thankfully, the injuries were not life-threatening because some of the on-lookers at the scene refused to co-operate with police.

“This meant the air ambulance could not land safely, which delayed the rescue effort by almost 30 minutes.

“The helicopter had to land in a nearby school′s grounds and the casualty had to be conveyed to the air ambulance before she could be airlifted to hospital for vital medical attention.

“I hope those who were responsible realise their actions delayed a child who was seriously injured from getting to hospital.”

Anyone who witnessed the accident should contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 551 of March 3, 2014.