A BOY who was hit by a bus in a horror crash on Tuesday remains in a serious condition after being airlifted to hospital, with fresh calls made for tougher safety measures along the ‘nightmare’ road.

The 12-year old school boy, named locally as Charlie Watkins, was walking with a friend on Cowley Road, near Glanville Road, when a Stagecoach bus struck him at about 3pm.

He was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital with a serious head injury.

Thames Valley Police spokesperson Hannah Jones said that the boy, who has not yet been officially identified, remains in hospital.

She said: “The boy, who was a pedestrian, remains in a serious but stable condition in the John Radcliffe Hospital.

No one has been arrested.”

Meanwhile, Cowley Marsh councillor Sajjad Malik has warned that the section of Cowley Road where the incident happened is a ‘nightmare’ and has called for a reduced speed limit and a full review into the road.

He said: “I think especially on the school run the junctions are a nightmare and seriously needs speed calming measures. The county council should do something about this and we need a review.

“During the school run the traffic is particularly heavy and the nearby roads are quite dangerous with lots of people coming out.

“The first thing I would call for is a 20 mph speed limit rather than 30 and the junction of Shelley Road needs to be redesigned. I will be raising this to county council officers.”

Eyewitnesses also spoke of their shock. Marie Cooper said: “Cowley Road is a nightmare, not surprised at all.

Thoughts with all involved.”

Lana Naoum said: “As a driver and a pedestrian I find Cowley Road really unsafe to drive and walk in. I pray for this boy’s health, hope he gets better.”

Linda Jane said: “Cowley Road is a nightmare to cycle down, had a few misses myself.

Hope you will be OK and here’s to a speedy recovery young man.”

The road was closed for two hours while police carried out investigation work.

South Central Ambulance Service had told Oxford Mail that the boy was riding a bicycle but this information later proved to be incorrect.

A Stagecoach spokesman said their thoughts were with the boy and his family and that they were fully complying with the police investigation.