A HIT-and-run victim has told of his ordeal and asked: "Why was I left there for dead?"

Martin Flaherty, 17, was knocked down by a Nissan Navara pick-up truck in the early hours of New Year's Day as he crossed Blackburn Road, Darwen.

Martin was carried along on the bonnet and winds-creen of the pick-up truck for more than 100 yards.

The driver then sped off, leaving him lying in the road.

He broke his nose, ruptured his spleen, and his left kidney was bruised.

He has been left with a scar above his right eye and on his forehead.

Martin was initially fighting for his life in intensive care and spent a week in hospital.

Martin, who lives in Anchor Grove, Darwen, with his parents, Bernie, 40, and Jessie, 41, said: "Why did they leave me there for dead?

"I was hit, then just left. That's what scares me and hurts me the most about it.

"If that was me, I would take responsibility for my actions."

The former Crosshill Special School pupil, who suffers from Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, said he could not recall much about the actual incident.

He had left a New Year's Eve party at his auntie's house with a group of four friends to get some cigarettes when he was knocked down.

Martin said: "I remember crossing the road, but nothing much after that.

"I remember lying on the floor and hearing sirens, but I didn't realise they were for me.

"I heard someone was coming to help. The sirens were coming closer, then I must have blacked out.

"Then I remember waking up in hospital.

"But I only realised I was in the hospital when I saw nurses walking past me.

"My parents have given me a high-visibility jacket to wear when I'm out and I know now to stay on the path not the road."

Martin's mum, Jessie, praised their next door neighbour Lauren Nolan who came to help Martin.

She said: "She saved his life.

"There were people around him that were shaking him.

"She stopped them and gave him first aid until the ambulance arrived."