BALL CRACKS GIRL'S SKULL.

Byline: By BRIAN ROBERTS 

A GIRL of seven suffered a fractured skull when a cricket ball hit her as she cycled near a pitch.

Georgia Vargiu was playing with a friend when a batsman's shot cleared the boundary for six and smashed into her forehead.

She was rushed to hospital in a neck brace, where she was said to be stable yesterday.

The game between Billingham and neighbouring visitors Middlesbrough, which her parents had been watching, was abandoned.

Billingham club secretary Dennis Wing said: "The pitch is surrounded by fields and Georgia was playing there on her bike when the ball hit her head.

"The match was stopped as a lot of the lads were quite shaken. No one wanted to carry on.

"There was a million-toone chance of this happening - Georgia was in the wrong place at the wrong time. We're all very concerned about her."

Mum Colleen and dad Kevin spent the night with her in intensive care after Saturday's mishap.

Friend Graeme McIvor, 40, said: "The whole family has been very anxious and Georgia had to go into theatre.

"But the procedure was successful and she's doing a lot better now."

Another friend added: "Georgia's not in any danger but we're waiting for more news."

CAPTION(S):

HURT: Georgia