The grandmother of a young skateboarder knocked down and dragged 20 yards in a hit-and-run accident said she feared he was going to die.

Eight-year-old Jason Harps was left with a broken arm, broken shoulder and cuts to his back which doctors fear will leave him facing plastic surgery.

He was playing in Copgrove Road, Holme Wood, Bradford, when police believe he skateboarded into the path of the silver car - thought to be a private hire taxi - at about 3pm on New Year's Eve.

He was dragged along underneath the vehicle for about 20 yards before it was driven off leaving him lying in agony in the road.

At first doctors warned Jason's family, of Middleham Court, Holme Wood, his condition was critical but he is now stable in Bradford Royal Infirmary where he was today(wed) due to undergo plastic surgery on his back. He suffered head and back injuries in the accident as well as a broken arm and shoulder.

Today, his grandmother, Elizabeth Harps, of Launceston Drive, Holme Wood, said the family were devastated.

Jason's parents Jason and Shameen have never left his bedside since the accident and Kyle, aged ten, was fretting for his younger brother.

"When it happened, someone ran to get my son and he just lay down with little Jason in the road," Mrs Harps said. "He was unconscious and he didn't dare move him - he thought the worst. He just lay there in the road with him."

"He has been terribly ill. He's having to have loads of operations. We are all traumatised by it. We can't believe that this man left a little boy unconscious - how could someone do this, just leave him there and drive off?

"He is a such a nice, loveable little boy. He's so brave but he looks so pathetic, his injuries are awful. He's started talking but he doesn't seem to know what's happened.

"I asked him if he knew who I was, and he tried to give me a little smile. He had been looking forward to having a party on New Year's Eve with his little friends."

She said she hoped Telegraph & Argus readers could help the police track the driver down.

Inspector Steven Baker of Odsal Police said: "This was an accident, which occurred when the child was playing on a skateboard and came out of a side street into a bigger road. He was run over by a car which failed to stop. We would like to appeal for any witnesses to this. We believe the car was a private hire taxi and the officer on the case is making inquiries with local taxi firms."

A spokesman for the Bradford Royal Infirmary today said Jason's condition was 'comfortable'.

Anyone with information can contact Odsal police helpdesk on (01274) 376676.

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