A mother called for help yesterday from the community after her 13-year-old son was hit by a car while walking to school.

The 38-year-old said that she was “very grateful” for the public’s assistance after she turned to social media for advice and information.

The mother said that her son was fine and that the driver had asked him if he was OK.

However, she added that she was disappointed the woman did nothing more than stick her head out of the car window before she drove off.

She said: “Just the thought of someone hitting a child and not stopping or taking the initiative to get out of the car and ask ‘where were you going?’ or ‘give me your mom’s number’ or anything.

“It’s very upsetting because he was all traumatised so he didn’t see a car number or anything.”

The mother, from Pembroke, said that she got a call from her son’s Devonshire school to let her know that “a lady had knocked him down”.

She explained that he had caught the bus to Hermitage Road and was crossing the street when the incident happened at about 7.30am.

She added that the driver then wound her window down and called to him “You OK?” to which he said that he was.

The woman said that despite saying he was fine, he later reported pain and she took him to the hospital.

She said that his X-rays were clear and that he did not suffer any broken bones or internal damage, but that he could expect to suffer bruising and more pain.

The woman said that her son did not know the make of the car or take note of the licence plate and was unsure of the exact colour.

She added that because her son could have been in shock, the driver should have done more than take him at his word.

She said that she had checked in with the nearby Belvin’s convenience store for any witnesses or CCTV footage.

The woman added that she had reported the incident to police and turned to social media to ask those in the area for assistance.

She thanked the public “from the bottom of my heart” for their kind words.

She said: “The public has been responding very well. I’m just very grateful and thankful for the public’s help and support.”

The boy, who spoke to The Royal Gazette after his hospital visit, said that he remembered everything leading up to the incident, but could not tell if the car was white, silver or grey.

He added that he would be staying home today — but was happy to be alive.

The boy also encouraged people to be cautious while on the roads, whether they were motorists or pedestrians.

He added: “Children should be cautious of their awareness and surroundings, and to make sure they look both ways when they’re crossing the street.

“Parents should do the same thing — make sure they’re aware of their surroundings.”

The boy’s mother echoed these sentiments, adding that parents should remind their children of what to do in case they were in a similar incident.

She said: “Although you hear of things happening, you don’t really think it’ll happen to you or your child.

“We just need to talk to our kids and let them know that this sort of thing is not OK, whether you’re hurt or not.”

A police spokesman confirmed that an investigation had begun into the incident.

Anyone with information, including the driver of the car, was asked to contact Pc Oba Swan by calling 211 or e-mailing oswan@bps.bm as soon as possible.

Potential witnesses are also encouraged to share any information they have with an officer that they know and trust, or provide it to the BPS online community reporting portal.

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