POLICE were today hunting a motorist who may hold the key to the cause of a country lane smash which left a schoolboy seriously injured.

The family of the 14-year-old boy were today mounting a bedside vigil after he suffered head and chest injuries when he was thrown from a car in Mount Lane, Cliviger, shortly after 1pm yesterday.

The teenager from Burnley, who has not been named, was in a white VW Golf driven by his father which was travelling towards Cliviger.

Police said the father claims he was forced to swerve to avoid another vehicle coming down the hill before hitting the kerb and colliding with a large tree. The car then spun round and came to rest facing back down the hill.

The boy was taken by ambulance to Burnley General Hospital and was due to be transferred to Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool, today. He was said to be in a serious condition.

The driver received a fractured right leg.

Police have launched an appeal to try and trace any witnesses who may have seen the Golf or the other vehicle involved.

Sgt Martin Bishop, of the Road Policing Unit at Colne, said: "This was a very serious accident and we would urge anyone who may have witnessed it to come forward and contact us.

"We are particularly keen to try and trace the driver of the vehicle in the opposite carriageway at the time. He or she might be a key witness into exactly what happened."

Call PC Karl Anderson on 01282 472542 with any information.

One woman who asked not to be named said: "I saw the police and a fire engine go past yesterday afternoon. I've never heard of any accident on this road before, it usually seems quite safe."