AN 11-year-old boy was rushed to hospital yesterday afternoon after he stepped into the path of car.

He was believed to have suffered a broken leg and a head injury in the crash, at 3.50pm, near the Highland Laddie pub, Stockton Road, in the Haughton area of Darlington.

Sergeant Graham Charman, of Darlington police, said: "The young lad had stepped into the side of a passing car and fallen backwards.

"He received leg injuries when hitting the car and hit his head when he fell backwards, we believe."

Last night, he said officers had not yet spoken to the driver but they were not treating it as a hit and run.

Dee Jackson, landlady of the Highland Laddie, who had been driving in Stockton Road, said: "When the police allowed us to pass, I could see him lying on the ground holding his head."

The boy was believed to be returning from school with his sister and two other girls.

A resident who waited with him for an ambulance said: "I put a pad on his head and kept it there and then the ambulance came. He had a broken left leg and a big gash on the right-hand side of his head."

Witnesses are asked to call police on (01325) 467681.