A 16-YEAR-OLD boy who died from head injuries a week after he was knocked over by a car will help to save others after his parents donated his tissues.

Sam Spence, of Alwyn Road, Darlington, died just before midnight on Friday in James Cook Hospital, Middlesbrough.

He was knocked over by a Vauxhall Corsa in Haughton Road, Darlington, on Thursday, May 25.

Sam's family will now donate some of his tissue to help save others.

His mother, Julie Jones, said: "As a family, we believe in donor cards.

"Due to his injuries, they couldn't harvest the heart, lung or kidneys, but they can still take the heart valve and tissue.

"We have given them to save someone else.

"We hope it does some good elsewhere."

Sam leaves two older brothers, Benjamin and Jamie.

He left Longfield School last year and was looking forward to starting his first job.

He had been at JHP Training, Valley Street, Darlington, through which he had found work as a labourer at Jewson's.

His stepfather, Hardy Jones, said that since leaving school, Sam had "just wanted to work".

Mrs Jones said her son had a large group of friends around the Harrowgate Hill and Haughton areas.

He was also a keen angler and a regular at the gym in Darlington's Dolphin Centre.

She said: "It is a tragic, tragic waste at such a young age. He hadn't even started shaving."

Sam, who would have been 17 in August, was struck by the car at about 10.45pm as he stood with friends near the junction with Alexander Street.

He was thrown over the top of the vehicle, landing on the opposite side of the road.

He was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital before being transferred to James Cook Hospital the following afternoon.

Mr Jones said: "We have had a very trying week, with Sam in intensive care, and we are just devastated at this moment in time."

The 32-year-old Corsa driver was shocked but uninjured.

Last week, the mother of an eight-year-old boy knocked down by joyriders in Middlesbrough donated her son's organs.

Daniel Curtin lost his nine-day battle for life when he suffered severe head injuries, but has helped to save the lives of three others.

To register as a donor, call 0845 60 60 400, or go to www.uktransplant.org.uk.

Police are appealing for witnesses to call them on 0845 60 60 365.

* A funeral will be held for Daniel Curtin on Thursday at St Bede's Chapel, Tees- side Crematorium, Acklam Road, Middlesbrough at 1.30pm.

Friends and family are asked to meet at the crematorium. Floral tributes may be sent to the Co-operative Funeral Service, Memorial House, 398 Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough.