A 10-YEAR-OLD boy is fighting for life after he was in a collision with a 4x4 vehicle in Weymouth.

Police said the boy was riding a child's scooter when he was in collision with a Jeep Grand Cherokee in Louviers Road on the Littlemoor estate on Saturday evening.

It is believed the boy had ridden down from the skatepark when he collided with the vehicle.

People rushed to the child's aid and the emergency services were called.

The boy, who suffered serious head and internal injuries, was flown to Southampton General Hospital by the police helicopter. His condition today was described as 'critical but stable.'

An eyewitness said: “I was in my back yard; a little boy came down the hill on his scooter with his friends. His friends went one way and he went the other and I just heard a bang.

“I went out and saw the boy on the floor so I ran straight back into the house to get some towels and his friends went to get his parents.

“He was conscious but he was bleeding quite badly.

“It happened in seconds.

“A lady came out from the car behind and my dad was keeping the traffic back while we tried to help.

“He was put in an ambulance first and then he was airlifted to hospital.

“There were crowds of people because of the helicopter.

“We are just waiting for news to see how the boy is now.”

A man who lives nearby added: “I saw and heard the helicopter and crowds of people heading up the hill.

“There were so many people there.

“Everyone was pretty shaken up by what had happened.”

Chief Inspector Guy Shimmons of Dorset Police said: "At approximately 8pm on Saturday a serious injury road traffic collision occurred in Louviers Road, Weymouth 53 metres south east of its junction with Canberra Road.

"A burgundy coloured Jeep Grand Cherokee being driven along Louviers Road towards Canberra Road by a 53-year-old man from Weymouth was in collision with a 10-year-old boy from Littlemoor who was riding a scooter.

"The boy sustained severe head and internal injuries and the emergency services were called. The road was closed for several hours while police conducted an investigation.

"The boy was flown to Southampton Hospital where his condition is described as critical.

"Witnesses to the collision, or anyone with information about the driving or riding prior to the incident, should contact PC Graham of the Dorset Police traffic department on 101 quoting incident 372-23."

Borough and county councillor for Littlemoor Mark Tewkesbury said: “My thoughts go out to the friends and family of the boy.

“I hope that everything is going to be okay and I wish him a speedy recovery.

“It’s never good news to hear of an accident in your area, especially involving a child.

“We have been looking at getting a crossing point put in on Louviers Road and I would welcome any ideas from residents.”