A teenager was fighting for his life at York District Hospital today after being struck by a car as he was crossing the A64.

Jamie Colin Sanders, 16, of Bullamoor Road, Northallerton, is critically ill in intensive care after suffering head injuries when a green Peugeot car struck him on the eastbound carriageway of the A64 at Bilbrough Top at 5.30pm last night.

He was crossing the busy road to get to a bus stop.

Police said Jamie, a former pupil at Northallerton College, was wearing dark-coloured clothing as he crossed the carriageway when he was struck and thrown into the nearside lane by the car travelling towards York.

Officers are trying to trace the driver of a green car, possibly a Fiat Punto, which then parked behind Jamie to shield him from oncoming traffic and possible further injury.

A colleague of Jamie's, at Armstrong Massey garage, near MacDonalds, where he started work as a trainee service receptionist last week, had to identify him before he was taken to hospital by a passing ambulance.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said today that he was "critically ill with head injuries". Jamie's boss, Peter Billam, said his staff were devastated about what had happened.

He said: "We are all hoping and praying for Jamie at the moment." Mr Billam also called for traffic calming measures on this stretch of the A64.

He said cars should be slowed down to 50mph, with traffic lights and cameras.

He also said a footbridge should be built for staff to be safe.

He said: "This is very sad and we've got to stop it happening again."

The driver of the car, Annette Ingram, of Carleton Street, off Leeman Road, York, was also taken to York District Hospital for treatment.

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the incident to contact TC Martin Smith at Selby police station on 01757 702596.

The incident follows a similar incident on the same stretch of the A64 when Abdul Majeed, a doorman at the Aagrah restaurant, was killed as he was crossing the road in February 1999.

Martin Hemenway, traffic management officer at York police, said: "Obviously it's very sad that there has been an accident at this blackspot.

"But for the long-term plans for this section of the A64 cameras are not an option. And I don't believe a 50mph speed limit would protect pedestrians." An exhibition of the traffic management plans for this section of road go on display next weekend at The Buckles pub on the A64.

Updated: 13:52 Wednesday, January 10, 2001