A SCHOOLBOY was today critically ill in hospital after being seriously injured in a road accident in Accrington.

Fourteen-year-old pedestrian John Potter suffered head, chest and leg injuries when he was involved in a collision with a vehicle in Manchester Road last night .

The teenager, a pupil at Hollins High School, who lives in Burnley Road, Accrington, was initially taken to Blackburn Infirmary before being transferred to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury.

The ambulance was given a police escort and he was today said to be in a "critical" condition.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident, which happened at 7.10pm near to Bamford Crescent.

An Austin Maestro van involved in the accident was being driven by Kenneth Sheasby , 62, of Marlowe Avenue, Baxenden.

Police said it appeared the teenager came from the nearside footpath into the path of the on-coming vehicle.

Off-duty ambulance technician Colin Willis, who lives nearby, rushed to help the the injured youngster until an ambulance arrived.

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