A BOY is fighting for his life after he was hit by a car on his way to school.

Felix Barrow, 11, had just set off from home on Hill Pound, Swanmore, when the collision happened at about 8am yesterday.

South Central Ambulance Service, Hampshire Constabulary, and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance rushed to the scene to help him.

Residents were woken by the sound of the air ambulance helicopter hovering over their homes and witnesses said at least four emergency vehicles arrived shortly after the boy was hit by the red Toyota Yaris.

Felix was left seriously injured and police described him as being in a “critical condition” after he was flown to Southampton General Hospital.

The road was closed for three hours while officers carried out a thorough investigation of the scene and police are appealing for information from anyone who may have witnessed the crash.

Felix’s grandmother Jean Reynolds told the Daily Echo that he suffered a broken leg and elbow and had been put in an induced coma.

She said: “His parents are very shaken up and I think it was an unfortunate accident.

“We are just hoping for the best.

“It’s a very fast road, although I’m not saying that was the cause.”

Neighbours said they were shocked but not surprised by the incident, and many highlighted a number of collisions that have happened nearby.

One said: “It’s a problem with speeding vehicles because it’s a long straight road and at night you have reflectors, and they drive on it like it’s a runway at Gatwick.

“Most of the accidents are at the crossroads at the top of the hill, but there’s a wall at the other crossroads and a car went through that. They have had half the house and the wall rebuilt.

“You have got the articulated lorries and that road is not wide enough – everybody thinks it.”

Another agreed and said: “It’s long and straight and it’s always been a concern to people who live on the road.

“The traffic is getting heavier everywhere but there are certainly more commercial vehicles and we have had accidents at the crossroads.

“There should be speed cameras or some sort of traffic calming measures.”

Police are continuing to investigate the incident and are asking anyone with information to come forward.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokeswoman said: “Anyone who witnessed this incident is asked to contact Sergeant Wayne Voller of the South East Hampshire Roads Policing Unit on 101 quoting Operation Silkworm.”