TWO York school pupils were recovering today after being struck by cars in separate incidents.

According to North Yorkshire police, Huntington School student Nathan Foxcroft, aged 12, was run over after being dropped off by the school bus, outside Strensall Park, in York Road, Strensall, at 3.57pm yesterday.

He was taken to hospital with a head injury and bruised ribs.

Twenty minutes earlier, said police, another Huntington School pupil was taken to York Hospital with a broken leg after she was run over as she crossed the road outside the school. The girl, aged 14, was expected to be released from hospital today.

Nathan's father, Martin, of Strensall Road, today called for the school bus to change its drop-off point in his village.

"It's a big concern that where the children are dropped off, the speed limit is 60 mph," said Mr Foxcroft.

"It's also a busy road in a built-up area and near the barracks.

"Had the car been coming along at the speed it was entitled to, our Nathan wouldn't be here today.

"Luckily, it was driving a lot slower."

Mr Martin said he had been sitting in the kitchen with his wife, Andrea, when one of Nathan's school friends ran in to tell them he had been run over.

They found him lying in the road, waiting for the ambulance.

"There's no path there and it's an overgrown verge," said Mr Martin. "It's absurd the children are dropped off there."

The car driver, a woman from Strensall, was uninjured.

A York Hospital spokeswoman said today Nathan was stable and could be released within the next 48-hours.

Terry Walker, public transport planner for City of York Council, said: "The buses from Huntington School to Strensall follow the same route as the public bus services and stop at the same designated bus stops.

"We are always willing to listen and act on the concerns of parents or pupils, and have amended bus routes in the past to take parental wishes into account.

"The council also has a comprehensive road safety education programme, which helps young people to recognise the potential dangers of roads."

Any witnesses of either accident are asked to phone 01904 669884.

Updated: 14:45 Thursday, May 20, 2004