A THREE-year-old boy who was knocked unconscious while running across the road to get to an ice cream van could be home within a week.

Samuel Greaves suffered a broken collar bone and broken leg in the accident outside his home in New Line, Bacup, on July 11, when he ran out into the path of a car.

His mum Joanne had told him to wait while she got her purse but the excited toddler ran out before she knew what had happened.

Samuel was in the intensive care unit of the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, for four days and is now on a ward with his leg in traction.

His father Neil said: "He is a lot better and there is a chance he maybe able to come home in a week or two.

"Everything is looking better and he is responding better. He is still a bit concussed and his coordination is not quite right but his movement is improving and he can move his arms better.

"He is eating properly now although he is not talking as well as he should."

Samuel has attended Bacup Nursery School since Easter, but because his broken leg is in traction it will be a while before he can return to school.

Neil said: "Once he comes home they will be sending a team of nurses out every day to look after him and sort everything out with his traction.

"It was a terrifying time for us after the accident because we did not know how badly injured he was."

Neighbour Tom Healey gave Samuel the kiss of life and massaged his heart when he realised the lad had stopped breathing.

Neil and Joanne have been at their son's bedside every day until late into the evening and so have not been able to say thanks to Tom.

But when Samuel returns home they hope to thank him personally.

Neil had just started two weeks' holiday from his work at Caswell Engineering, a ducting company in Haslingden.

Although he is now returning to work his boss said he will keep him on local work so he can be available to help with Samuel.

He faces a further eight weeks in traction and then physiotherapy to get his leg moving properly.

Neil said: "He has been very good in hospital but he doesn't like the nurses because he always thinks they are going to do something to him."