By Hayley Robinson

Halloween turned into a real horror story for a young boy who was struck by a car as he tried to retrieve his costume hat.

The eight-year-old, who was out trick or treating with friends, was thrown up into the air and landed behind the vehicle after he was hit outside the Kings Head pub, in London Road, just after 7.30pm on Saturday, October 30.

Barmaid Rebecca Baker was just about to start her shift when her 13-year-old daughter Sophie Lloyd saw the accident and called out for help.

Miss Baker said that although the young lad was lying in the road, motorists continued to drive round him.

Three or four pub-goers stepped out and stopped the traffic while another customer known only as Sonia, who had first aid knowledge, rushed over to the youngster who had hit his head and back. She stayed with him and made sure he remained still until the ambulance arrived.

Miss Baker said: "Sophie was just coming out the toilets which overlook the road when she saw the accident happen.

“He was with a group of about 14 other children aged between eight and 13 all dressed in Halloween costumes and out trick or treating.

“They were crossing from outside the pub to the other side of the road. He was more or less across when his hat blew off and he went to retrieve it.

“The driver of the car didn’t stand a chance [to react]. The children were all trying to get across the road to see the boy and my sister Teresa Simler, the landlady of the pub, was trying to stop them.

“We got the children into the pub and got them to call their parents and wait. My daughter knew some of them but not the little boy.”

Police arrived at the scene and closed the road until 8pm while South East Coast Ambulance Service dealt with the boy.

He was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham to be assessed.

Miss Baker said: “His mum rang later in the evening and let us know he was OK and to thank us for all our help.”