A TEENAGE girl was airlifted to hospital after falling from a bridge on to a railway line.

Police said a train managed to stop just short of the Pendle Vale College student, who was discovered on the tracks at around 11.20am yesterday.

The emergency services were called to Alexander Street, Nelson, following reports that a teenage girl had been injured on the railway line.

It was initially feared the girl, 14, had been hit by a train but a spokesman for British Transport Police later said that was incorrect.

The teenager, suffering head and back injuries, was taken to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital by the North West Air Ambulance.

The incident is not being treated as suspicious.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: “Our officers responded to initial reports of a person being hit by a train on April 5 at around 11.30am.

“On arrival at the scene it became apparent that a person had not been struck but a train had stopped short of a girl who was on the tracks.

“Colleagues from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, North West Ambulance Service, North West Air Ambulance and Lancashire Constabulary were also in attendance and the girl was taken to hospital with head and back injuries.

“The girl’s family are aware and the incident is not being treated as suspicious.”

A police spokesman said: “We were called around 11.20am to reports of concerns for safety.

“It was in Alexander Street, Nelson, and there were reports of a girl standing on the railway bridge towards the top of the street.

“The female fell on to the railway line. She was taken to hospital with head injuries.”

Meanwhile, Northern Rail suspended train services between Colne and Blackpool for several hours to allow the girl to receive treatment and investigation work to be carried out.