A toddler was left with head injuries after being hit by a large piece of timber which fell from scaffolding in Preston Street this afternoon.
The local girl, 3, was hit at about 10.40am as she was being pushed along the road in a buggy by her mum. Paramedics treated her at the scene before taking her to the Royal Alex with serious injuries.
A large piece of timber is believed to have fallen from scaffolding surrounding number 14 Preston street. Neighbours said work is taking place on the flat above the Greek restaurant Alferia.
A planning application was submitted for the flat last month by Myles Dhillon, a plumber from Hove, for a rear extension and alterations to the roof. His architect told Brighton and Hove News that Mr Dhillon recently bought the flat.
Mr Dhillon said this afternoon he was not aware of the incident as he was currently working on a lot of building sites.
A 32-year-old man from Hove has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent and a 39-year-old man from Brighton was arrested on suspicion of failing to discharge general health and safety duty at work.
Police are working with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) who will be investigating.
Detective Chief Inspector Pierre Serra said: “We are appealing to anyone who may have been walking along the street at this time to come forward with any information they have on this incident.
“We are also urging anyone who was driving along this road to check their dash cam footage to see if the incident was captured.”
A spokesman for South East South Coast Ambulance said: “We were called at approximately 10.40am today to reports a child had been hit by a piece of falling wood on Preston Street, Brighton.
“Ambulance crews attended the scene and assessed and treated the child for a head injury before they were taken to Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton.”
A HSE spokesperson said: “HSE is aware of the incident. Inspectors have attended the scene and we are investigating alongside the police who are leading the initial response. As the investigation is ongoing we are unable to comment further at this time.”
If you witnessed the incident please report online or call 101 quoting reference 455 of 06/07.
