Thieves ransacked a family home as a mother and father tended to their son who had been knocked down by a car.

Seven-year-old Callum Wilson was hit while he was playing on his scooter near his home in Gateshead.

In the commotion, his parents, Ian and Helen, forgot to lock their front door.

While they were on their way to hospital in an ambulance, thieves took more than £300 cash from their living room.

Yesterday, 40-year-old Mr Wilson, a taxi driver, said: "It disgusts me that someone has taken advantage of a situation like this. A young lad came running to our house and told my wife what happened. She went to the scene and rang me on my mobile. I went straight there myself.

"In the 45 minutes we were looking after him, someone went inside and stole the money.

"My son had just had an accident and he was going to hospital.

"If the thief has children or will have children in the future, then he'll understand what we are going through.

"I hope this will prick the person's conscience."

The cash was in a bag on the family's hi-fi system and was being saved up for Christmas.

Callum, who had been playing in nearby Percy Gardens, was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, with leg fractures.

Police appealed for anyone who has information about the burglary to call them on 0191-214 6555.

A spokesman said: "We are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious around Hillhead Gardens that evening to contact us."