A HIT and run driver left a teenager for dead in the road.

Jason Derbyshire, aged 17, was knocked down by a speeding car in Albert Road, Farnworth, at 11.30pm on Saturday.

Friends who were with Jason ran to tell his parents, who dashed to where he lay injured near the Texaco petrol station.

The accident happened just yards from where Jason's friend, 18-year-old Danny Fitton, of Brentwood Drive, Moses Gate, died after falling from his moped.

Danny was riding along Albert Road when he clipped the kerb and was thrown from his moped in September. He suffered serious head injuries and died shortly afterwards at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Jason's dad, Alan, a long-distance lorry driver said: "I'm stuck for words how anyone could leave a boy lying in the road with blood gushing from his head.

"Our son could easily be lying in a morgue now. For all the driver knew, he could have been dead."

The former Harper Green School pupil was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital where he was treated for concussion, cuts and bruises, and checked for spinal injuries.

He was discharged and is recovering at his home in Wellington Street, Farnworth.

His father said: "Jason and his friends are still getting over what happened to Danny, then this happens.

"Jason was walking a friend home who had dropped her phone in the road.

"He went back to pick it up when the car appeared and hit him. It was on the wrong side of the road.

"My wife Tracy and I tried to comfort him. Then the paramedics and police arrived."

Jason, who has two brothers, Anthony, aged 21, and Simon, aged 14, said: "I feel very rough. I can't remember anything but the sight of the car as it approached and then waking up later to hear everyone crying."

Mr Derbyshire added: "Cars go so quickly on that road, something's got to be done.

"Even when the motorists could see there had been an accident and the emergency vehicles' flashing blue lights, they weren't slowing down. It is madness. There seems to be an accident on that road every week."

Appealing for witnesses, a police spokesman said: "We are keen to trace the driver of the car which was believed to be white and possibly a Rover.

"If anyone has any information, they should call the traffic unit at Leigh on 0161 856 7273."