AN 11-year-old boy is fighting for his life after being hit by a car on his way home from school.

Matthew Morrison was crossing Manchester Road, between Parkhills Road and Gigg Lane, at about 4.30pm on Tuesday afternoon when the incident happened.

His mother Debbie Morrison said he was making his way home from nearby The Derby High School with his brother and sister at the time.

The Bolton News:

Matthew Morrison

He was rushed to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital with serious injuries to his head and legs, and underwent emergency brain surgery last night.

His parents have been keeping a bedside vigil and say doctors have told them their son’s condition is ‘touch and go’.

Ms Morrison added: “We do not know what his outcome is going to be. They are saying the first 24 to 48 hours are crucial.

“We have been told he might need a blood transfusion.

“He has got a fractures to his skull, both hips, pelvis, and the bottom of his spine. They think he might have internal bleeding to his abdomen.

“We rushed down as soon as we got the phone call. I got into the ambulance and have been with him ever since.”

After the crash, police and ambulance remained in place at the scene, close to The Staff of Life pub, throughout Thursday evening.

As a result, the road was closed and motorists experienced long delays in the direction of Whitefield, while the 524 bus services were diverted down Market Street, Gigg Lane, and back on to Manchester Road.

Following the incident, concerns have been raised about the lack of pedestrian crossings on the road.

Redvales Cllr Tamoor Tariq said Bury Council had agreed to lead an urgent review of pedestrian crossing at the junction where Manchester Road meets Radcliffe Road and Parkhills Road.

He added: "There have been concerns for a while in the community. It is such a busy main road and there are a significant amount of children crossing that road in the morning and at night.

"Councillors have raised this with highways in the past. Given yesterday's incident, it is paramount that we get this sorted as soon as possible."

A spokesman for North West Ambulance Service said: "We were called at 4.33pm to Manchester Road in Bury to reports of a male having been hit by a car.

"We sent an ambulance, a rapid response vehicle and a senior clinician to the scene.

"The hospital were informed of his injuries, and the patient was taken to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital."