A 12-YEAR-OLD girl suffered serious head injuries when she fell into the road after playing a daredevil game of "bumper surfing" on a moving bus.

Katherine Glass, of Elgin Street, Halliwell, has been left with a fractured skull after the prank went tragically wrong.

The schoolgirl climbed on the back of a moving bus along with four teenage boys but was unable to hold on.

She landed on the road with such force that she was knocked unconscious. Today her mother Katherine Kidd warned other children that they were "dicing with death" by playing such a game.

Her daughter was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital where a brain scan revealed she had suffered a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.

The Smithills pupil is still in hospital and doctors say it could be months before the extent of the damage is known.

Her mother said: "If there had been a car travelling behind the bus, my daughter would have been killed. She is lucky to be alive.

"This stupid game needs to stop before someone dies."

Katherine and four friends jumped on the 501 First Manchester service as it slowed down in Elgin Street on Saturday at around 8.30pm.

A few yards later, she lost her grip and fell off opposite the JKS Plumbase store.

As well as the head injury, her body is covered in bruises.

Residents living nearby saw the accident and called an ambulance.

Katherine's four friends jumped off the bus further along the street and came running back to the scene.

She was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital where her mother and father Henry Glass have kept a vigil at her bedside.

She is now in a stable condition and faces a long period of rehabilitation.

The bus driver, who was unaware of what had happened, continued on his journey.

Miss Kidd said: "All the local children are doing it, they think it is a game.

"Two young boys fell off a couple of weeks ago but were not injured.

"They obviously don't realise the serious consquences of what they are doing.

"The doctors were unsure whether she would have to undergo surgery. If the swelling had not gone down, she would have been operated on.

"She can't remember anything about what happened. She has been on a drip and doctors are trying to get her to eat and drink.

"We don't know the extent of the damage caused following the head injury. We just have to wait and see.

"I wouldn't wish this on any other family. I can't be angry with her because she is so ill, but I urge all children to stop this game now."

Sgt Ian Coop, of Bolton Police, said: "It is an obviously dangerous thing to do. The children risk serious injury and even death. Parents to be aware of what their children are doing."