A HAMPSHIRE mum said her 11-year- old-daughter “could have been killed” after she was struck by a car in a Southampton street.

Ann Shirley, 49, spoke of her shock the day after her daughter Ruby Simmons was the victim of a hit-and-run in High Road, Swaythling, which left her with serious injuries.

The mum-of-seven described the incident as “disgusting”.

She said: “I was at home when a couple who we know knocked on our front door and said they had seen Ruby lying on the ground and that she had been hit by a car.

“I instantly had visions of lots of blood, and I was in so much shock.

“Ruby is sensible when crossing the road, I didn’t understand how this could have happened.

“I want the person who did this to come forward as they could have killed someone.”

Ruby told the Daily Echo that she was on her way to a shop in High Road to buy her mum mint sauce for the roast dinner they were supposed to be having that Wednesday evening.

The car hit her just after 4.10pm when she was crossing the road at the Stone- ham Lane and High Road junction.

Police are now on the hunt for a green Ford Mondeo.

They are also appealing for witnesses and have pleaded for drivers who have dashcam footage to come forward.

Ruby, a pupil at Bassett Green Primary School said: “I like to walk to the shops as I like to help my mum.

“The lights were red when I crossed the road and then the car hit me.

“I woke up in the ambulance; I was scared and confused.”

Ruby spent five hours in hospital. She suffered a broken ankle, cuts and bruises across her body and a black eye.

She will be in cast for the next six to eight weeks before she has to return to hospital for another X-ray.

Her stepfather, Vincent Walker-Harris, 58, said: “We trust Ruby to walk to the shops on her own as she is sensible and always looks left and right.

“When I found out what had happened I was thinking the worst.

“For someone to hit a child in a car and not stop makes me question what else they would do.”

Mrs Shirley added: “She now can’t go swimming or run around and play like a normal child.

“I don’t think she will want to go out on her own now and even if she did I’d be looking outside worrying to make sure she is ok.”

PC Matthew Willcocks, from Hampshire Joint Roads Policing Unit, said: “We are appealing for help to trace the driver of this car, which has been described as having no hubcaps.

“So if you were in this area yesterday afternoon and you think you may have seen a light green Mondeo, please get in touch.

“We’re particularly keen to hear from any motorists or cyclists with dash cams or helmet cams who were travelling in the area, as they may have captured something on their cameras.”

Those with information should call 101, quoting 44190088446, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.