A TEENAGER who was knocked over and dragged 50 metres down a busy road underneath a lorry is lucky to be alive, a paramedic said today.

The 15-year-old was struck by the lorry on the A689 at Greatham, near Hartlepool, yesterday afternoon (Monday) and dragged some distance down the carriageway before becoming trapped under the vehicle.

He suffered abdominal and head injuries and was airlifted to James Cook University Hospital, where he was said to be in a stable condition tonight. His injuries are not life threatening.

A special assembly was held at the 15-year-old's school, Manor College of Technology in Hartlepool this morning to "update and reassure" the pupil's classmates about his condition.

Head teacher Anne Malcolm said: "We are in close contact with the family and our thoughts and best wishes have been conveyed to them."

The boy, from Greatham, was involved in the accident at about 3.35pm. Paramedics from the North East Ambulance Service and Great North Air Ambulance helped free him from underneath the heavy goods vehicle before he was flown to hospital in Middlesbrough.

Stuart Thompson, a paramedic with the Great North Air Ambulance, said: "We arrived on scene and the boy was still stuck underneath the vehicle. We worked with the ambulance service paramedics to get him out of there.

"He had sustained suspected head and abdominal injuries, so the treatment on the roadside was all about protecting his head, back and pelvis.

“Considering what had happened and the scene as we initially found it, it is remarkable that he was not more seriously injured. He has been incredibly lucky.”

Cleveland Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident, which happened on the westbound A689 at the junction with Greatham High Street.

Any witnesses are asked to contact PC Andy Overton from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit on the non-emergency number 101, quoting event number 22486.