Schoolboy left needing skin graft after hit and run

As Jake Hancox, aged 13, stepped out correctly on a pedestrian crossing in New Invention, in Willenhall, a Ford Focus ran through a red light knocking him down on May 2.

He suffered a broken left foot and has undergone two operations including a skin graft as a result.

The accident happened as he waited with friends at the crossing, in Lichfield Road, after a game of football on land behind The Square.

"I stepped out when the light changed to red and the car just came straight at me. I was quite upset. I was knocked on to the ground by the impact. My shoe came flying off and I was bleeding. I knew my leg was broken.

"Lots of people were crowding round to see if I was alright. Then somebody phoned the ambulance," said the Coppice Farm Performing Arts School pupil.

Just 15 minutes earlier he and brother Harry, aged 10, had been dropped off by their mother Stephanie to play out with a group of friends. They were on their way home to Sandwell Place when Jake was struck by the dark coloured car at 7.20pm.

"He's in a lot of pain because it was a very bad injury. He's on crutches and still has the wires in his foot to help it to set. The foot is swollen and he can't go to school at the moment. It's really affected his education and he misses the social side of things. He did return to school for a short time, but due to the seriousness of the injury he has to stay at home," Mrs Hancox, aged 41, a hospital housekeeper, said.

Officers have now launched an appeal for help from the public to trace the driver who failed to stop at the scene.

Pc Laura Loy, of West Midlands Police's road traffic collision investigation unit said: "At the time of the collision we believe the lights were on red. As the boy started to cross a car collided with him and his scooter, before driving off from the scene.

"As a result the lad suffered fractures to his foot and damaged tendons and has undergone surgery for pins to be put in place and a skin graft. It will be months before he can return to normal and his day to day activities and schooling have been affected."

She added: "Despite an on-going investigation we have yet to identify the driver of the car, which is believed to have been a dark coloured Ford Focus, and I want to appeal for anyone who may have seen the collision or has information about the driver to contact me on 101."