A TEENAGER is fighting for his life today after being knocked down by a hit and run driver.

The 15-year-old boy from Lordswood is in a coma at a specialist intensive care unit in London.

His parents are at his bedside while Medway Police appealed to anyone who saw the incident or may know the driver of the vehicle to come forward.

The teenager, Jean-Phillipe Lemoi, was walking along Hempstead Road, Hempstead with three of his friends at around 8.45pm on Wednesday evening when he was struck from behind by a light-coloured car travelling at high speed.

He and his friends were walking towards Capstone Road, Chatham, at the time. The car struck Jean-Phillipe but the motorist drove on. The ambulance crew who went to the scene said the teenager was unconscious and had lost a fair amount of blood.

Jean-Phillipe was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital suffering from serious head injuries. He was later transferred to King's College Hospital, London, where his condition was described as critical.

Insp Richard Watson, from Medway Police, said: “The injuries he sustained are life-threatening and the next 24 hours are critical. Jean-Phillipe is currently in a coma.

“We believe the car involved was light-coloured and possibly a Ford Escort. We expect the car to have damage to the front and are asking anyone who has seen a car of this description with recent damage to contact us immediately.” Officers are also keen to speak to the driver of a two-tone Ford Escort Cabriolet who was seen in the area close to the accident.