THE MOTHER of a hit-and-run victim has told how her son’s face was so badly damaged she didn’t recognise him in his hospital bed.

Blackburn teenager Liam Sears’ jaw was broken in four places and a deep gash was cut at the corner of his mouth when he was hit by a car on Friday.

The 16-year-old remains unconscious and in a serious condition in the critical care unit at Royal Blackburn Hospital following an operation which saw his jaw rebuilt with metal plates and screws.

His mother Tracy Sears has told how she saw him covered in blood after rushing to the hospital following the accident on Friday night.

Liam is expected to recover, but doctors have decided to keep him unconscious for the next few days as the pain from his swelling head, face and neck would otherwise be unbearable.

As well as repairing his jaw, deep cuts on Liam’s face have needed numerous stitches.

Liam was planning to begin work for his father as a joiner at the end of the month.

The former Witton Park High School student lives off Preston New Road with brothers and sisters Natalie, 18, Lewis, 14, Eleanor, 9, Aaron, four and Holly, two.

Describing the moment she found out her son had been hit by a car, Tracy said: “It happened near his friend’s house in Mill Hill, so his mum was able to come and tell me what had happened.

“All she could say was that he was unconscious. At the hospital it was a few hours before they could tell me anything or before I could see him because they were working on him.

“When I did, he was covered in blood and I couldn’t recognise him, but they told me he was going to be okay.

“When I heard about what had happened, that it was a hit and run, I couldn’t believe it.

"I don’t know how anyone could leave someone unconscious and bleeding, just leave them for dead.

"It could have been so much worse, at least he is alive.”

A Silver Vauxhall Vectra has been recovered by officers following the incident in Parkinson Street, Mill Hill at 10pm on Friday.

* A 35-year-old taxi driver from Accrington has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

Comments unavailable on this story for legal reasons.