A 23-YEAR-OLD is ‘lucky to be alive’ after a hit-and-run while crossing a road in Euxton.

Lee Gaskill was on the zebra crossing on Wigan Road, making his way to Balshaw Lane railway station, when he was hit by a white Renault Clio at 9.25pm on Friday.

Emergency services tended to his injuries and he was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital.

His mum, Julie Gaskill, says it was a nightmare hearing that her son had been injured.

She said: “Lee had just finished working at McDonalds and was going to get a train to see his girlfriend in Liverpool.

“He left to get the 9.20pm train and we have heard from some witnesses that he was on the zebra crossing then a car came speeding down and hit him.

“The driver stopped after he was hit then drove on.

“I got a phone call from Lee’s phone just after he left and a man spoke to me and told me Lee had been knocked down.

“You just think the worst. He has hydrocephalus, which is water on the brain, and had to have an operation when he was younger but I am concerned about how the accident may have affected him.

“It affects him but he is happy with his life. It has really shook him up and his body is black and blue after getting hit.

“We want anyone who saw the incident to get in touch with the police to try to find the driver.

“He got home on Saturday morning but it was lucky it was not worse.”

Julie was also happy about the support provided to the former Parklands High School pupil.

She said: “I want to say a big thank you to the people who came out of their houses to give him a blanket and tried to keep him warm after what had happened.”

Julie was also concerned that one of the crossing lights was out on the night.

County Councillor Aidy Riggott, for Euxton, Buckshaw and Astley, said: “I was most concerned to hear about the accident and my primary concern is for the health and wellbeing of the victim.

“I have everything crossed that he makes a full and speedy recovery.

“I urge anyone with any information to contact the police and assist them with their investigation.”

In August, Cllr Riggott wrote to Lancashire County Council highlighting concerns raised by residents regarding this Zebra Crossing, Aidy added “I asked the Highways Dept at LCC whether the crossing met the correct standards, whether anything can be done to improve safety and whether there was any significant accident history at this location.”

Following this recent incident, County Councillor Aidy Riggott has written again to LCC making them aware of this collision and asked for the situation to be urgently reviewed. County Councillor Aidy Riggott added: “I will update residents as soon as I get some feedback and will press my colleagues to do all they can to improve safety at this crossing, however it is very difficult to account for individuals who drive in a careless and irresponsible manner with no consideration for others safety and wellbeing.”

A police spokesman said: “The call came in to us at 9.25pm where a man in his 20s had been knocked down by a vehicle.

“He went to Royal Preston Hospital and the vehicle fled the scene.

“We are appealing for anyone with information to come forward about this incident so ring 101 and use the log number of 1431 from December 14.”