Lucky to be alive - now hit and run victim Lewis, 3, begs to leave hospital

Lewis Ruddock was struck by a red Seat Leon and left for dead in Foundry Hill Drive, Seacroft, Leeds, just after 6pm on Saturday.

He was taken to Leeds General Infirmary and kept in intensive care over the weekend as he was treated for injuries including multiple broken bones, a fractured leg and smashed pelvis, a gashed head and internal injuries.

The youngster, who has since been moved to the children's ward where he remains in a seriously ill but stable condition, repeats the words "I want to go home" over and over again as he lies in his hospital bed clutching his mother's hand, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post newspaper.

His mother, 23-year-old Jayne Day and his father, Dave Ruddock, 25, have kept a constant vigil at the youngster's bedside since the accident happened.

He was with his mother on the way back from visiting his grandmother when the accident happened.

Ms Day said he ran a few steps ahead of her when the speeding car came up and hit him.

Despite her banging on the window and shouting at the driver to stop, the driver fled the scene.

Describing the terrifying moments just after the accident, Ms Day said she thought her son had been killed.

"I picked him up and sat on the kerb holding him", she told the Yorkshire Post.

"I just remember shouting at everyone to get away and telling him that I loved him."

West Yorkshire Police said a 29-year-old man was arrested yesterday on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident. He has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.