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A teacher has been hailed a hero after pushing children out of the way as a hit-and-run driver ploughed across a pavement, injuring a little girl.
The children from Brompton-Westbrook Primary School were returning from a Christmas outing to see Sleeping Beauty at MidKent College when the driver mounted the kerb in Brompton Road, Gillingham.
A nine-year-old girl suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital, but discharged later the same day.
Parent Phil Rickard, whose son Jack was part of the group, said the heroic actions of assistant head teacher Oliver Allen prevented what could have been a terrible tragedy on Wednesday.
He said Mr Allen quickly pushed children aside as the vehicle, reported to be a white van, swerved towards the kerb.
He had been shielding children from an open manhole and was able to respond in an instant to the oncoming van.
Mr Rickard said his son Jack, nine, was pushed out of the way.
He added: "I really think Mr Allen should be recognised for what he has done. I can't stress enough that if it hadn't been for his actions in pushing the children away, the injuries would have been much worse."
The van is thought to have also hit Mr Allen but he was not hurt.
The vehicle was seen swerving to avoid another car when it mounted the pavement, before being driven off.
Children in Years 4 and 5 were in the direct line of the van and there were children in other years walking in crocodile formation in front and behind them.
Brothers Cameron Carron, 11, and Callum Carron, nine, saw the moment of impact.
Cameron said: "There was a smash. I was very scared and the girl who had been hit was shaking."
A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at 12.32pm to Brompton Road, Gillingham, to reports that a vehicle had collided with two pedestrians – a man and a child – and driven off.
"Inquiries are ongoing to locate the vehicle."
A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed a nine-year-old girl had been treated at the scene and was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital with minor injuries.
Sue Mason, acting head teacher at Brompton-Westbrook, said: "We are very grateful for Mr Allen's quick thinking and swift action. He acted in the children's best interests.
"I would also like to thank all of our staff and pupils who were calm and sensible."
