THE parents of a four-year-old boy left fighting for his life after being knocked down just yards from his home have spoken of their bedside vigil.

Little Mubashar Ahmed suffered serious damage to his lungs and liver, fractures to his spinal cord and a broken thigh after being struck by a Ford Focus in Ripon Street, Nelson.

He ended up underneath the vehicle and people in the road had to lift the car up to reach him before he was rushed to hospital.

His parents Zahir and Naheed have kept a constant watch by his bedside in the intensive care and high dependency units at Pendlebury Children’s Hospital ever since the accident.

He has had to undergo emergency surgery and was put on a ventilator to help his breathing.

The couple said the experience of watching their son fight for his life has been the worst of their lives.

Family, friends and neighbours have held prayers for Mubashar and local Imams have blessed him on his hospital ward.

Zahir said he has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of affection for his son, who was just weeks away from starting his first day at his new school, Marsden Primary, and support from the community.

Goodwill messages have been sent from as far afield as Pakistan, London and Bradford, as well as from across East Lancashire, for Mubashar.

Within moments of the collision last Tuesday (4), friends and neighbours leapt into action, helping Zahir to lift the vehicle off his son.

Not wanting to waste vital seconds, he was taken by car to Burnley General Hospital for treatment.

He was immediately rushed to the Royal Blackburn Hospital’s accident and emergency department, where his broken bones were operated upon the following day.

Later under the supervision of a doctor and two nurses he was transferred to the Manchester hospital, where he remained on a ventilator in the intensive care unit until two days ago.

Zahir said: “The surgeons and doctors have been brilliant, at Burnley, Blackburn and Manchester, and I want to thank all of the nurses who have cared for him.”

Ever since the incident Zahid and Mubashar have suffered flashbacks to the moment when the youngster was trapped underneath the vehicle.

Zahir said: “We have not been able to do anything - we have been here 24 hours a day.

“Thankfully he has been taken off the ventilator but they are still keeping a close eye on him. Everyone back home is praying for him.

“Obviously everyone has been putting a lot of effort in for him and my brother has said that the phone has been constantly ringing with messages.

“People have been fasting for him and one of our imams has said prayers at his bedside.”

He has also paid tribute to his mother-in-law, Saria Sultana, who has cared for his other four children while the couple have been at the hospital.

Police, who are investigating the accident, are asking witnesses to call the road policing unit at Colne on 01282 472431 and ask for Sgt Gareth Hill.