THE mother of a teenager who was knocked off his bike while crossing at traffic lights in Taunton said drivers need to pay more attention before someone is killed.

Erika Sherwood’s son Adam Garrett, 15, was crossing at the traffic lights on Priorswood Road, close to the One Stop shop, when they had turned red.

She said a man driving a white van ‘screeched’ to a halt just in front of the lights but hit her son, knocking him off his mountain bike into the road.

The man drove off following the incident, which happened on Saturday at around 5.30pm. Erika said the police told her there is no CCTV at the location so they cannot trace the driver.

Castle School student Adam was taken to hospital and he is suffering badly bruised legs and ankles from his ordeal.

Erika, who also has a daughter Ophelia, told the County Gazette she fears other children could be more seriously hurt.

She said: “He was very lucky he was not worse off – it could have been a young child and then it would have been a lot worse.

“People drive very fast down there and another accident is waiting to happen.”

Erika praised the efforts of Good Samaritan passers-by and two drivers who stopped to help after seeing the incident.

She added: “I really want to thank the people who helped by trying to get the man to stop and calling the ambulance.

“I would just like the driver to have the decency to come forward now.”