THREE teenagers from Oxford have been praised for the quick action they took to help a critically injured girl.

Iain Rae, Shelly Sutherland and Sarah-Jane Simmons, all pupils at Oxford Community School in Glanville Road, leapt into action to help the 10-year-old after she was knocked down crossing Oxford Road.

Their swift action to put the girl into the correct position and stop the flow of blood from her head injury saved her life and the three friends are now in line for a commendation.

Iain, 16, of Shepherds Hill, Greater Leys, said: "We were walking home from an after school art club and we got to the crossing outside the Exeter Hall pub.

"This little girl got off the bus and just ran out into the road and was hit by this black car.

"She just went flying.

"I just ran out into the road without thinking and screamed for my mate Sarah to come and help. I leant down over the girl and was telling her everything was going to be alright and not to move.

"There was blood pouring from her head, we were all really worried for her but knew that we had to keep her talking to stop her from losing consciousness."

For Sarah, 16, from Littlehay Road, it was an even more frightening situation as she recognised the young girl as her neighbour.

She said: "I was just thinking, 'oh my god, what is happening', I was so shocked by what I was seeing."

The three friends had all received St John's Ambulance training in the Army Cadets, and Sarah said it was remembering this that helped her focus.

She said: "I was just going through my training in my mind and remembering what to do. I was shaking but I knew what I had to do.

"I got a towel from this man that was jogging past and held it tightly to the girl's head to stop the bleeding."

Shelly, 16, also of Shepherds Hill, modestly said the three friends were just doing what anyone would have done.

She said: "I'm proud to have helped the little girl, because it's nice to help people when they need it. But I think most people would have done what we did."

The girl was rushed to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington, where she spent four days in the intensive care unit recovering from her head injuries.

Schools' officer Pc Brent Jackson said: "I think they all did a fantastic job. They made sure the girl was in the correct position and stemmed the blood flow.

"If they had not done that you know what could have happened - she could have bled to death.

"I will definitely be recommending all three for an award. I am writing to the Superintendent to inform him of their very prompt actions and how they helped this girl."