HEALTH and safety chiefs are taking legal action over an accident in which a six-year-old girl suffered a fractured skull.

Connie Walker was attempting to leapfrog a 3ft bollard in Lymington in 2015 when it toppled over, leaving her with life-threatening injuries.

She spent months in hospital undergoing surgery and rehabilitation and still needs full-time support.

Now the Health and Safety Executive is prosecuting Hampshire County Council over the incident.

The case will be heard at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on October 22, when the authority will face one charge under health and safety laws.

A council spokesman said: “We can confirm that Hampshire County Council has received a summons in relation to this matter. As this is subject to legal proceedings we are unable to comment further.”

Connie, from Buckinghamshire, was on holiday with her family when the accident occurred at the bottom of Quay Hill, Lymington.

People living and working in the partly-pedestrianised area had keys which they used to unlock the bollard if they needed to drive through.

Connie suffered serious head injuries in the accident and was rushed to Southampton General Hospital. Flowers accompanied by “get well soon” messages were left at the scene.

On her 7th birthday Connie gave her family a thumbs up sign and later moved her left arm for the first time.

Last year her father Richard and a group of friends took part in the Tough Mudder challenge, raising £12,000 for the hospital.

Mr Walker and his wife Caroline are full of praise for care and compassion shown by doctors and nurses.

Paying tribute to staff in the paediatric intensive care unit Mr Walker said: “Their communication was incredible and very transparent.

“They were careful to be factual. We knew Connie’s prognosis was uncertain but never did they stop us hoping.

“As much as they took care of Connie they also took care of Caroline and I, and for that we will be eternally grateful.”

The couple say they never asked about the future because they knew no-one could give them an answer.

“All that was said was that the range of future possibilities was so great and each injury was different, and so we simply continued to hope,” said Mr Walker.