AN eight-year-old boy who was hit by a stolen car as he played with friends was in hospital last night after suffering severe head injuries.

The boy is poorly but stable in The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, after he was hit by a Rover Metro on a cycle path in Riverside Park, in the town's Newport area, at 8pm on Tuesday.

Officers leading the investigation said the boy's family had been devastated by the accident and are at his side.

Detective Sergeant Keith Dee said: "The lad is very poorly, he is seriously injured. The consultant who is looking after him said he has a severe brain swell.

"As a result of the injury, he will sedated and ventilated for several days before the doctors will have any idea how severe the injury is."

The car, which had been stolen in Middlesbrough town centre earlier in the day, was seen being driven erratically on rough ground and on paths around the industrial estate.

A group of youngsters watched the vehicle being driven around the waste land, before the driver lost control and the car careered across the grass and hit the child.

Many of the people fled the scene when the eight-year-old was hit, but others remained to call the emergency services and comfort the boy.

Det Sgt Dee said: "He was hit by the side of the car and you can actually see the indentation on the passenger door of the Rover Metro. There were approximately 20 youths in the area at the time watching the car driving around.

"It was being driven along the cycle path at speed before hitting the grass and drifting sideways out of control.

"The boy was knocked unconscious almost immediately."

Detectives are investigating whether the people in the car at the time of the accident were the same people responsible for its theft.

Det Sgt Dee added: "We would be interested in speaking to anyone who was at the scene of the accident who hasn't already come forward or been interviewed by officers."

* A 15-year-old boy arrested in connection with the incident is due to appear before Teesside Youth Court this morning, charged with aggravated vehicle-taking.