A GIRL of 13 had an operation today after her skull was fractured by a scaffolding pole which fell from a lorry.

Kathleen Hillman and her friend Carla Barnes were walking along Ffosmaen Road in Nantyglo at 9pm last night when the incident occurred.

Kathleen, the second oldest of nine children, suffered a fractured skull and was operated on at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff this morning.

Carla suffered only minor injuries and was later released from Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny.

Police say the driver of the lorry, who is believed to be a local scrap metal dealer, was arrested and released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Kathleen's father, Martin Hillman, 36, of Milfraen Avenue, said: "My wife was panicking a lot when it happened.

"Kathleen went in the operating theatre at 9.30am for surgery on her head and I'm waiting to hear from my wife, who is down at the hospital, whether Kathleen is OK.

"With a bit of luck she will be all right and pull through. She is in the best place to be and I think she will be fine.

"Accidents happen in this day and age and there is nothing you can do about it. I'm not blaming anyone. I'm just going to let the police do their job."

Gwent police officers spent the morning conducting door-to-door enquiries on Ffosmaen Road.

One neighbour, 60-year-old David Bristow, rushed to help the stricken girl lying on the road.

He said: "I saw a crowd of people. I thought something was up so I went outside and saw a little girl on the floor, quite distressed."

Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to call Brynmawr police on 01495 310773 or the Collision Investigation Unit on 01633 643091.