A FIVE-YEAR-OLD boy is lucky to be alive after he was struck by a van in a hit-and-run horror.

Leo Simm was flung into the air and thrown past three houses.

Little Leo had been playing football in a park, off Victory Street, Bolton, when he decided to go with his sister, 11-year-old Charlotte Leader, to get an ice cream when the incident happened.

His mother, Chantay Leader, heard her daughter’s horrified screams and raced to see her young son underneath a parked car after being struck by the van.

Leo was unconscious for several minutes.

The driver of the van, believed to be a pharmaceutical delivery vehicle, did not stop.

Mrs Leader, aged 47, of Beverley Road, Bolton, said: “I went running over and saw my little boy. My first thought was that he was dead.

“I can’t believe that whoever was driving the van did not stop at the scene. I hope this will prick their conscience and they will come forward.

“They must know that they hit something. People described the sound as like going over a speed bump really fast.

“It was awful for my daughter and her friend to see it happen. They were distraught.

“Leo had got some new football boots and I got him a new ball earlier that day so we went out to play. We were having a really good time.”

The incident happened on Tuesday, March 12, at 4.40pm.

Leo, who attend Oxford Grove primary school, suffered head injuries and a broken collarbone. He was released from hospital on Friday.

Witnesses chased after the van but were unable catch it.

The driver went along Clarke Street, then Marsh Fold Lane to Chorley Old Road. It is thought it then headed towards Bolton.

Mrs Leader added: “He is really lucky to be alive, and the doctors say he doesn’t have any brain damage.

“He knows what happened to him. He has been very quiet since.

“I just want to make people aware about this and ask anyone who knows anything to contact the police. This person needs to be caught.”

Police said they are investigating the incident and that no arrests have been made yet.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.