A SCHOOLBOY, aged 11, was fighting for his life today after being involved in a car accident as he walked home from school.

The boy and a white Ford Escort collided in Knavesmire Road, which runs between Knavesmire and playing fields in front of Albermarle Road, in South Bank.

The 11-year-old, who has not yet been named, was taken to York District Hospital suffering from serious head and leg injuries and remained in intensive care today. His condition was described as "very poorly, but stable". Today, news of the accident was being broken to the boy's classmates at Millthorpe School. The Year Seven pupil had only been at the school eight weeks.

Head teacher Peter Whitcomb said: "It seems like an absolutely awful accident. We have never had such a serious incident happen to one of our pupils. He is a very pleasant and enthusiastic boy."

He added that the deputy head, Mary Hill, had been on the scene within minutes and drove the boy's mother to hospital. The driver of the car was uninjured.

The accident left a section of the road closed and diversions were put in place during the rush hour last night.

Anyone with information about the accident near the junction with Knavesmire Crescent yesterday afternoon is asked to contact York police on (01904) 631321.

lA Ryedale teenager remained critically ill today after an accident with a car on Wednesday night.

The 16-year-old, from Lockton, near Pickering, was caught up in a collision with a Renault Clio travelling along the A169 Pickering to Whitby road. He was taken to Scarborough Hospital with serious head injuries and later transferred to Hull Royal Infirmary.

Anyone who saw the collision, or saw the teenager or the car before the accident, should contact traffic constable Andy Richardson on 01723 500300.

Updated: 10:14 Friday, November 23, 2001