A 13-YEAR-OLD girl was killed and her friend is fighting for her life after they were mown down by a sports car in Farnworth.

Carla Bate and Leanne Keegan, from Farnworth, were standing at the junction of Albert Road and Longcauseway when a Toyota MR2 mounted the pavement and hit them.

Carla, of Primrose Avenue, died at the scene and Leanne, aged 13, suffered serious head and pelvic injuries.

The car was travelling south along Albert Road shortly before 10.30pm on Sunday night when it collided with a stationary car.

The force of the impact caused the Toyota to spin round into the traffic lights before ploughing into the girls.

Leanne was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital and was later transferred to the intensive care unit at Pendlebury Children's Hospital.

The occupants of the car ran from the vehicle, leaving the keys in the ignition.

A 35-year-old man and two boys, both believed to be aged 14, were later arrested. They were due to be questioned on Monday.

Fire crews from Farnworth were on the scene within minutes after a passer-by called the station.

Firefighters gave emergency first aid to the girls until paramedics arrived.

Station officer Bill Edwards said: "When we arrived, it was a scene of absolute devastation.

"An Audi parked on Albert Road had been wrecked and the Toyota MR2 was embedded in the railings across the junction of Longcauseway and Albert Road.

"The girls were lying on either side of Longcauseway."

Residents rushed out of their homes after hearing the crash.

One resident said: "It's very upsetting. I only found out this morning that the girl had been killed.

Another resident said: "It's terrible that a girl of 13 should lose her life."

Owners of Ila and Vini's newsagents and off-licence arrived at work to find the front of their shop damaged.

Traffic was congested around the junction as the traffic signals remained out of action.

Witnesses are asked to contact the CID at Astley Bridge on 0161 856 5740 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.