A horrified family feared the worst when their teenage son was knocked over by a car, sending him flying over the windscreen and landing in the road.

Declan Body, 17, was rushed to King’s College Hospital in London with what were thought to be life-threatening injuries.

But doctors, discovering he did not have any broken bones and had only suffered cuts and bruises, said he had a remarkably lucky escape.

Declan’s mum Emma, who lives in Chatham, was at work in Bexleyheath when the crash happened on Saturday on The Brook, Chatham.

She said: “My husband Craig had just dropped Declan off after Declan had finished working at his Saturday job at Shoe Zone in Rainham and was meeting his girlfriend in Chatham.

“He got out of the car and was hit by the car – he went flying over the windscreen. His little brother Charlie, 11, also saw it. Seeing that was very traumatic for him and Craig.

“I tried to get there as soon as I could, but when I arrived Declan had already been taken with a police escort by ambulance to the hospital in London.

“We all thought the worst and we couldn’t believe it when just two days later the doctors said he had only suffered minor injuries and just has grazes and bruises.

“It’s like he’s made of rubber – he loves superheroes and is now joking that he really is a superhero and he’s invincible.” Mr and Mrs Body say a number of people came to Declan’s assistance while he lay injured in the road and that they did not get a chance to thank all of them properly.

Mrs Body said: “Declan spent four days in hospital and is now home, and myself and my husband would just like to thank everyone who helped out.

“There was a nurse who worked at Medway Maritime Hospital who helped him after it happened and we never got to thank her.

"The police and paramedics were great, Charlie was given a lift home by a police officer after the crash happened, and the team at King’s College Hospital were also brilliant.

“And we must thank the manager of Specsavers in Chatham – when Declan had his accident he had his glasses on but we never found them at the scene.

"The manager from Specsavers happened to be passing at the time, was told about the glasses and managed to get a new pair made for free within 24 hours.

“It was a nice touch and really helped us out.”