Mother of boy hit by car in Chickerell Road tells of shock

Police are investigating after schoolboy Seth Yates, 12, was knocked down as he crossed Chickerell Road. The driver failed to stop at the scene.

Seth had just left Budmouth Academy and was on his way home when it happened about 2.45pm on Tuesday.

Seth's friend Rebecca Farquharson was praised for her quick-thinking in helping him.

A passing motorist stopped to assist and took Seth home to Lodmoor.

Once home, Seth's mother Louisa Yates then took him to hospital where he was treated for serious injuries to his jaw and underwent surgery. He has since been released.

Louisa said: "We are not entirely sure what happened, Seth can't remember it.

"I just had a call saying he had been hit by a car and he was being driven home to me.

"Someone passed by and picked him up, showing the real kindness of strangers.

"He banged his head and he couldn't move his jaw or arm.

"It could have been so so much worse, thankfully there were no major bone breaks but he did lose his two front teeth.

"He has had some extensive surgery to his mouth and some temporary filling over open nerve endings.

"Thankfully he should make a full recovery."

Louisa has backed the police appeal for witnesses to come forward about the crash.

She said: "We just want to know what happened.

"If you hit a child, you need to stop, even if the child left the scene you have to report it."

Seth's friend Rebecca Farquharson, was praised for helping and was presented with a Principal's Commendation at Budmouth.

Rebecca with Budmouth principal Michael Hoffmann

Her dad James said: "I'm incredibly proud of Rebecca. Her day suddenly took a very serious turn and she responded to the challenge brilliantly. I know she's concerned about Seth and wishes him a speedy recovery."

In a statement, Budmouth Academy said: "The Principal, Mr Hoffman, has spoken with the family and sent best wishes to the young person on behalf of everyone at Budmouth Academy.

"The Academy will now work alongside the Police and Dorset Highways Road Safety Office in the aftermath of this incident.

"Budmouth Academy has, over a long period, promoted the introduction of further traffic calming measures along Chickerell Road and will continue to make the case for them, in light of what has happened.

"We would like to extend our gratitude to a fellow student whose calm, quick thinking and caring nature ensured that medical attention was received as quickly as it was."

Louisa has given her thanks to the stranger who drove Seth home, thanking her for her "real act of kindness". She also gave thanks to Seth's friend Rebecca and Budmouth Academy who had all been "brilliant" in supporting her family.

Limited details are known about the car involved, police said, but it is described as a dark coloured MPV or SUV type vehicle.

Police have been carrying out house-to-house and CCTV enquiries in a bid to identify the car involved but this has so far proved unsuccessful.

Police Constable Chris Brolan, of the traffic unit, said: “I am appealing to anyone who witnessed this incident or captured anything of relevance on home CCTV or dashcam to please get in contact with Dorset Police.

“I would also urge the driver involved to contact me so I can establish exactly what happened.”

Anyone with information can contact Dorset Police by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55230104042.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.