THE mother of an 11-year-old boy who suffered serious head injuries in a road accident says she has had the best Christmas present ever after he was released from hospital.

Sam Riding was knocked down by a car as he waited for a school bus on Tuesday, November 25.

The youngster, of the Esplanade, Rishton, was knocked down in Harwood Road, outside Norden High School, when a Vauxhall Nova careered off the road.

The car hit bollards and a bus stop sign before colliding with the youngsters while they were waiting for a bus to St Wilfrid's, in Blackburn.

Sam, a year seven pupil, was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary suffering from a double skull fracture, and was later transferred to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, at Pendlebury.

He was released last Friday in time to spend Christmas at home with his family.

His mother Julie, 34, said: "He's home and he's on the road to recovery.

"I would like to thank anybody who stayed with him when the accident happened and talked to him and kept him safe and warm until the ambulance came, especially the police and staff at Blackburn Royal Infirmary and Pendlebury who were absolutely fantastic.

"I don't know how they do the job they do.

"I have had the best Christmas present I could have had. We have had the best of luck and the worst of luck at the same time but he's here and with us. That's all that matters, and we will deal with his recovery as a family. The whole family has been devastated. It doesn't feel like it's over."

Victoria Walsh, 12, of Harwood Road, Rishton, and Rebecca Jones, of The Causeway, Great Harwood, suffered minor injuries and were released after treatment on the day.

Police have interviewed the driver of the vehicle, 18-year-old James Dean, of Lindadale Avenue, Accrington, and are submitting a file to the Crown Prosecution Service for advice on what course of action to take. They are still waiting for a report from accident investigators.