Girl clings on to baby in car accident

Hannah Purfield, 14, and the seven-month old boy shattered the car windscreen.

Only then was she forced to drop the baby on to the road.

Both escaped with minor injuries.

The accident happened on West Parade at the junction with Brockley Road.

Hannah, of Sidley Street, was carrying the baby, who has not been named by police, as a friend who was babysitting wanted to get a drink.

She crossed the road from north to south at the front of a group of five friends.

A woman in a black car, which had been travelling west having just moved out of a parking space, stopped to allow the group to cross.

A 64-year-old Eastbourne woman in a Fiesta, also travelling west, collided with Hannah who was swept up on to the bonnet.

She rolled off the bonnet and on to the road, only letting go of the baby at the last moment.

They were both taken to hospital and treated for grazes, bumps and bruises.

The baby was kept in hospital for two nights as a precaution but Hannah was released the same evening.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the 5pm accident on July 24, particularly the driver of the black car who stopped to allow the group to cross.

She is being sought purely as a witness - there is no suggestion of blame on her part.

The Fiesta driver is being questioned. Sergeant Kevin Donovan of Bexhill Road Policing Unit said: "Potentially this could have been nasty.

"The lady motorist in the black car we have no other details about. She was not involved but we are keen to talk to her."

The fact that it was a clear day is thought to make it likely other witnesses walking on the promenade at the time of the accident will come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Helen Donovan of the Polegate Road Policing Department on 01323 414054.