A mother is desperate to track down a red car and its driver after her teenage daughter was thrown into the air during a suspected hit-and-run.

St Simon Stock pupil Viana Simmons was walking home with friends along Oakwood Road in Maidstone when the mystery car struck her.

The 16-year-old suffered bruising and was unable to remember the impact or the moment she was hurled into the air.

Her mother, Susie, is now appealing to anyone who was in the area on Tuesday, September 12, at about 3.10pm, to come forward.

She said: “My daughter wasn’t on her phone and she wasn’t distracted apart from talking to friends.

“I wasn’t there at the time but some of the children were saying my daughter went flying in the air and spun around before landing face down.

“She was in shock and had some bruising. She doesn’t remember being hit.

“The children said the car never stopped and it sped off. I can’t believe it didn’t stop.

“It was a red car but none of the children were able to take a photo of it and we are struggling to find witnesses.”

Those who saw the collision told Mrs Simmons the car failed to stop and accelerated away.

It happened close to one of the entrances of the Oakwood Park complex, near Bower Mount Road.

She added: “Since the accident happened I haven’t let her walk from school.

“Lots of kids and parents walk that way and there are overgrown hedges which are putting the children at risk.

“If the person who hit my daughter had stopped and apologised then it would have been OK.

“It must be somebody from the community and that area or somebody who uses that road.”

Police have been informed and are investigating.

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote reference 12/0916. Alternatively, send an email to Mrs Simmons on dasilvasimmons@hotmail.com