The incident occurred at the bus stop, by the junction with Brodrick Road, at around 3.20pm and the youngster suffered a fractured pelvis, head injuries and multiple grazes and bruising.

Police shut the road and ambulance crews rushed to the scene and took the casualty to Eastbourne DGH.

The boy's father, Lesley Datson, of Blackthorn Close, has praised paramedics and accident and emergency staff at the hospital.

"They took time out to reassure a frantic anxious mother and her family, as well as my very upset and worried daughter," said Mr Datson.

"My heartfelt thanks go to all the fantastic staff on Friston Ward, the orthopaedic and surgical team who tended to him, and to the physiotherapists who have and will work with us to get my son back to health."

The boy is now recovering and his dad describes him as 'lucky' but says traffic calming is needed on that stretch of road.

Mr Datson said, "I have been living in this area now for six years and can recall at least four times that the road has had to be closed due to an accident.

"The next person to get hurt may not be as lucky as my son."
Mr Datson says he is concerned for pupils from local schools using the bus stop.

"There is no parking bay for a bus to pull into and when it is at that stop a motorist passing may not be aware of how near a junction they will emerge," he said.

"I feel that the only recourse is either to have a reduced speed limit trialled and possibly imposed, or to have the bus stop resited."

A spokesperson from East Sussex County Council said, "There have been no previous accidents near the bus stops and there are currently no plans to move them.

"However, following this accident, Hazelwood Avenue will be assessed to see if it is suitable for traffic calming.

"If it is found to be suitable it will be added to the traffic calming priority list.

"There are currently around 25 places on this list and traffic calming is introduced at sites three to four times a year.

"We have to prioritise sites, so that the limited funds available are targeted at the places most in need of treatment."

Mr Datson added, "I would not wish the sheer emotional agony I have experienced on anyone.

"I am sure the people on the bus, the driver of the car and the bystanders were also very shaken."