DISTRAUGHT relatives were today praying for a miracle as a talented angler battled for life after a York hit-and-run crash.

Ron Coulson fought back tears as he paid tribute to his son, Ben.

Foxwood resident Ben, 27, suffered multiple injuries when he was hit by a car in Acomb. He was today critical on a life-support machine at York Hospital.

His heartbroken family have held a bedside vigil since Friday night's accident, but doctors have told them they fear Ben may not pull through.

Michael Hawley, married to Ben's mum, Elaine, said Ben's plight was "every parent's worst nightmare".

He said: "Ben had just been to get some supper from the local chippy when the accident happened.

"The family has been at his bedside most of the weekend. They have spent a lot of time at the hospital.

"It's every parent's worst nightmare to see their child lying there, fighting for his life."

He added: "The doctors don't hold out a lot of hope, but we are praying that a miracle happens."

Ben, due to move in with his girlfriend in Acomb the day after the accident, was also looking forward to starting a new office job in York today.

He went to school in Copmanthorpe, then to Tadcaster Grammar before securing a place on a fisheries and aquatics course at a college in Leicestershire.

Ron told how his son, who he taught to fish at an early age, flourished into an award-winning angler.

Speaking from his home at School Lane, Copmanthorpe, the retired engineer said: "Fishing was everything to Ben. It relaxed him and made him so happy.

"I taught him and he became ten times better than me. His life was fishing and we fished a lot together."

He was selected for the England under-21 squad at the age of 15.

Last year, the Evening Press featured Ron and Ben after they both caught a huge pike on the same stretch of Stamford Bridge river, within two hours of each other.

Ben's sister, Leanne, 23, has been at his bedside, and his "distraught" grandparents, who live in Toronto, Canada, have been told about the accident.

It happened as Ben crossed Green Lane just after 8.30pm when a Vauxhall Cavalier failed to stop. Witnesses should phone York Police on 01904 631321.

A man arrested after the incident has been released on police bail.

Updated: 13:10 Monday, March 29, 2004