The incident, which shocked passers-by and fellow students, happened just after 10.30am.

Maxine Riddell, 15, who lives in Galashiels, had travelled to the town by service bus to sit her Maths Standard Grade exam in the Victoria Halls. After alighting, it appears Maxine stepped out in front of the stationary vehicle and was crossing the road when she was struck by a passing car.

Bystanders contacted the emergency services and pupils went into the halls to alert Selkirk High depute rector Graeme Marshall.

"The ambulance was there by the time I came out," said Mr Marshall. "Maxine was conscious and talking to the paramedics. She did not seem badly injured and I think she was taken to hospital more as a precaution. Some children do suffer from exam fever and perhaps Maxine was not concentrating (on crossing the road] as much as she should have been, although that is only a possible explanation."

At the time of going to press, the ashen-faced female driver of the car was being interviewed by police.