Prayers were being said at a York school today for a pupil who was seriously injured when he was in collision with a car as he walked home.

Tom Buck, aged 14, of Eastfield Avenue, Haxby, suffered serious head injuries in the accident which happened near his home.

His parents were today at his bedside in Leeds General Infirmary, where he was said to be "poorly but stable". He was transferred from York District Hospital to a specialist unit at the LGI last night.

Fellow pupils watched in horror as he was in collision with a Nissan car as he crossed Eastfield Avenue at its roundabout junction with York Road, Haxby, at about 3.30pm yesterday. He was left trapped under the car.

Police have praised quick-thinking locals who rushed to his aid.

"The local people were absolutely amazing and rallied round to lift the car off the boy even before the emergency services got there," said a North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman.

"They were able to help the paramedics get to him to deal with his injuries as quickly as possible," she added.

Tom's 11-year-old brother, also a pupil at Joseph Rowntree, had been following a short distance behind.

"It was obviously a great shock for him," said Hugh Porter, headmaster at Joseph Rowntree School.

Mr Porter, who spoke to Tom's parents this morning and passed on a message of support from the school, also told how fellow pupils rushed to help.

He said: "Witnesses have said the children from school who were passing the scene of the accident were brilliant in the way they responded and tried to be helpful.

"Many were quite shocked by what they saw and the school is looking to support them."

He added: "We told the students in school this morning about the accident and about Thomas's condition. We asked them to think of the family and to pray privately for a full recovery."

The school has been inundated with calls from pupils, parents and members of the public inquiring about Tom's condition and passing on their sympathies.

Mr Porter described Tom as a "normal" pupil, who is popular with fellow Haxby pupils.

He added: "He was crossing the road on a murky and dark evening and it seems to have just been a terrible accident.

"We are always urging students to take the greatest of care and to be aware of the dangers when out on the streets."

Police are appealing for anyone who saw the incident to call them on 01904 631321.