Last updated 21:27, Thursday, 20 November 2008

THE parents of a boy injured when he was hit by a car outside his Workington home on Saturday say that community support has helped them to cope throughout a traumatic week.

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Eight-year-old Joseph Jacob Hunt, known as JJ, was hit by a Vauxhall Frontera car at 11.50am as he crossed Grasmere Avenue after visiting a family friend.

The Westfield Infant School pupil’s family feared the worst as he lay screaming in the road after being thrown through the air and crushed under the car.

But after treatment at the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, where his kidneys temporarily failed, he was discharged on Tuesday.

He is now at home recovering from a broken collarbone, stomach and groin injuries and severe grazing and bruises.

Dad Gary Edmonds said: “We were surprised they let him home so quickly, but he was very depressed in the hospital.”

Jacob’s recovery will be a long haul, with physiotherapy starting next week. He is not expected to return to school until the new year.

But the family has been overwhelmed by the support of friends and neighbours.

Mum Jan Stanbury said: “It’s really showed me that Workington is a lovely town. I’d never live anywhere else.”

Many visitors have brought cards, sweets, magazines and toys for JJ.

Mr Edmonds said: “The list is too long to name names. It balances what happened to see that everyone’s been there for us.”

While JJ is grateful for everything he has received, one gift had added significance.

Friend and motorbike enthusiast Dave Lee gave him a Disney-design crash helmet which the youngster had long admired.

Mr Edmonds, who monitors CCTV for Allerdale Borough Council, said: “He came to the hospital and said to JJ ‘you’ve wanted it for ages and now it’s yours’. It was the first time JJ had smiled since it happened.”

JJ and his mum are currently sleeping on sofas in the lounge as the youngster’s injuries mean he cannot use his raised bed, but they hope to return the family to a normal routine soon.

Mum-of-seven Ms Stanbury, who also has daughters Sarah, 23, Amy, 15, and Charlotte, 13, at home, along with Sarah’s daughter Holly, 17 months, said: “Seeing him now compared to how he is normally is hard. He’s going through a lot of emotional torment as well as the physical side.”

But it’s not only JJ who will carry the lasting effects of the accident.

Ms Stanbury said: “I’ll be permanently up at the window if they want to go out. It’s going to be a nightmare.”

A 41-year-old Workington man was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of dangerous driving. He has been bailed to return to Workington Police Station on January 2.

The road was closed for six hours on Saturday while an investigation was carried out.

Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward. They should phone the force’s western roads unit on 0845 3300247.