The family of a teenager knocked down by a police van have spoken of their devastation as he battles for survival on a life support machine.

And today Kamran Hussain's brother described the shock on the 13-year-old's face just seconds before he was struck in Toller Lane, Bradford.

Kamran - who had just left Toller Lane mosque when the accident happened - suffered severe head injuries when he was knocked down by a police van responding to reports of a disturbance in Heaton.

Relatives - including the youngster's parents Sabir Hussain, 38, and Tazeem Aktar, 39 - have been maintaining a bedside vigil in the paediatric neuro unit at Leeds General Infirmary.

Kamran - who left Scotchman Middle School last month and is due to start at Belle Vue in September - was transferred there from Bradford Royal Infirmary following Friday evening's accident.

His father Sabir Hussain, of Nearcliffe Road, Manningham, said the whole family, including Kamran's four brothers and two sisters, were devastated.

He told the T&A: "They've said he's doing well but we're very worried and are all just praying for him. He's a decent lad - he's very clever and does really well at school."

Kamran's brother Muddasar, 17, claimed the teenager was on a zebra crossing when the accident happened, which is disputed by police.

"The van seemed to come out of nowhere," he said. "I saw the shock on Kamran's face when he turned round and saw the van. He had no chance to get out of the way."

Muddasar described his brother as a fun-loving teenager who enjoys sport, TV soaps and Pokemon.

He added: "It's a nightmare for the whole family. We're all devastated and just can't believe it's happened. All we want at the moment is to get him back home safe and well.

"He loves his family, likes entertaining people and is always very happy - it's very quiet at home at the moment without him.

"Everyone's praying for him and there have been prayers at the mosque everyday. The whole community's in shock but the support we're getting from everyone round here is very good."

Family friend Mohammed Iqbal, who lives nearby, was in the mosque at the time of the incident.

He said: "When I came out, I saw the lad on the ground and blood was pouring from his head, nose and ear. I thought he was dead."

An inquiry into the incident is being headed by Superintendent Susan Day of West Yorkshire Police's Discipline and Complaints Department and the matter has been voluntarily referred to the Police Complaints Authority.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "The indications we have are that it was near but not on the zebra crossing.''

Inspector Andrew Watson, of Toller Lane police, said: "At the moment according to all the independent witnesses we have there's little or no doubt that he was some distance from the zebra crossing and passed between two parked cars.''

Councillor Amir Hussain (Lab, Toller), who accompanied Kamran's parents to BRI, said: "The police have been investigating and have been very co-operative. They have worked with the family through this very traumatic time."

* Seven men, aged between 19 and 49, have been charged with public order offences in connection with an alleged disturbance in Duckworth Grove, Heaton. They have been bailed to appear before Bradford magistrates on Wednesday (august 16).