Police are appealing for witnesses to the hit and run crash that left a nine-year-old boy in hospital in Chadwell Heath yesterday.

A car mowed down a mum walking the boy home from school with her one-year-old daughter in a pram in Grove Road around 3.50pm.

The black Lexus did not stop after the crash.

The boy was taken to the Royal London Hospital, in Whitechapel, with severe head injuries.

His mother was treated for minor injuries and the baby was unhurt.

Shailesh Patel, who owns Grove Road News and Off Licence, said the crash happened outside his shop.

He added: “A car came down the road and mounted the pavement and hit her.

“The mum had been to pick up her son from Chadwell Primary School and had a little baby in a pram.

“There was blood in the road and the pram was turned over.”

Melanie Jackson, headteacher of Chadwell Primary School said: “On behalf of the school and parents I want to say that our thoughts are with the young boy and his family and hope he makes a full and speedy recovery.”

A man was arrested later in the evening after he attended a police station.

He has been bailed to return in February.

Police are appealing for information on the car, registration S200 XUS, which was reported lost or stolen yesterday.

Anyone with information on the crash should call officers at Chadwell Heath Traffic Unit on 020 8597 4874. or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.