THE FAMILY of a 14-year-old, who was knocked down as he walked to school, have described their relief on hearing he will pull through.

Rhyddings High pupil Ben Forrest was hit as walked on the path alongside the Church and Oswaldtwistle railway station on Wednesday, police said.

He suffered serious swelling on his brain, broke numerous bones in his arms, fingers and legs and his recovery is expected to take six months.

His family were gathered in a waiting room for hours at Booth Hall Hospital last night, while surgeons manipulated the bones of Ben’s body back into place.

It has also been revealed how Ben’s mum, 33-year-old Sarah Whittle had heard about the crash from her home just streets away, and had ran to the scene to discover her son lying in the street.

A year 11 pupil from Ben’s school, Craig Reeves, was also praised by Ben’s family for his cool head and quick thinking as he helped Ben into the recovery position at the scene.

Ben, who is from Church, was listed as in a critical condition following the crash and was transferred first to Pendlebury Children’s Hospital before a second transfer to Booth Hall.

An hour following the surgery Ben’s grandmother Anne Whittle said the operation had been successful.

“We are just so thankful. He was very badly injured.

“We are thankful to the amazing staff at Pendlebury and at Booth Hall and also so thankful to Ben’s friends who went to his house to tell Sarah following the crash and to Craig, who helped him.

“Sarah was frantic when she heard the news but struggled to get there as she suffers from asthma.

"When she arrived he was completely unconcious.

"Right now he is in the right place, in the right hands. We have been so lucky.”

A 26-year-old man who had been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving has been released without charge.

Police say an investigation is ongoing and are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to call Accrington police on 51212.