A SERIOUS road accident which ended with a car being struck by a train is being treated as a hit-and-run.

An 11-year-old male passenger in the Range Rover was airlifted to hospital, where he remains in a critical condition with potentially life-threatening injuries a week after the collision.

Police have appealed to motorists across the region who may have been using the trans-Pennine A69 and witnessed the incident.

It took place between Greenhead and Haltwhistle, in south-west Northumberland, at about 4.25pm on Wednesday, December 5.

The black Range Rover was travelling westbound towards Cumbria when it left the road and crashed onto the railway line where it hit the side of a freight train.

Northumbria Police said today (TUESDAY DECEMBER 11) it now appears the female driver, whose 11 and 15-year-old sons were passengers, swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle.

Chief Inspector Peter Reeve said: “Our inquiries have led us to believe that the Range Rover swerved to avoid an, as yet, unidentified vehicle which was travelling towards it in the wrong lane.

“The Range Rover swerved out of its path and came off the road, crossing the eastbound carriageway, going through a fence and hitting the side of a passing freight train.

“It does not appear that the Range Rover was struck by the other vehicle before swerving off the road.

“However, we are treating this as a hit and run, and we’re now making inquiries to trace this vehicle.”

Chief Insp Reeve added: “The crash has had a devastating effect on the family involved and I’m asking anyone with information about the other vehicle to contact our road safety unit.”

They are asked to use the new 101 non-emergency number. Callers living outside the force area are asked to ring 01661-872555.