The father of a nine-year-old Melksham boy knocked down near a fast food takeaway has called for safety improvements to be made to the road.

Jake Husk, a Forest and Sandridge School pupil, is recovering at home after being hit by a Lexus 4x4 on the A350

Jake, who suffered leg, head and pelvis injuries, was released from Frenchay Hospital in Bristol on Monday.

It is thought Jake tried to cross after seeing traffic lights turn red for one lane of the road outside McDonald’s, not realising the traffic was still flowing in a second lane.

Jake’s dad Jason Husk, 34, who lives in Bristol, said his son was lucky to be alive.

“He’s very lucky,” he said. “Nine times out of 10 if you’re hit by a 4x4 doing 30mph then that’s it.

“From what I’ve been told he was hit by this Lexus up into the air and bounced three times into the road.”

“Jake said he wants to meet the person who hit him to let them know he’s OK, purely off his own back. The children’s unit at Frenchay did a cracking job.”

Mr Husk said he did not blame the driver of the Lexus, who was unhurt, for the incident, but expressed concern that the road was dangerous and confusing for young children.

He said he hoped that it didn’t take a fatality before the safety of the traffic-light controlled junction is evaluated.

Jake is not the first child to be hurt on the stretch of road. Last July eight-year-old Melksham boy Jordan Hood was knocked over at the same spot, suffering cuts and bruises.

Jake’s mum Amanda Hazell, 36, said she was at home in nearby Foundry Close when she found out her son was involved in a crash.

She said: “A lady who saw the accident came and got me. They wouldn’t let me up by Jake because I was too upset. I went into complete shock, I was screaming and crying. I could see Jake’s shoes in the road and heard him screaming.”

As well as a head injury, Jake received cuts and bruises and could not walk for several days.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “We are obviously pleased the young boy appears to have suffered no serious injuries.

“We cannot comment on the incident as there is still an ongoing police investigation. However we will look into the circumstances of the two accidents to see whether there are common factors which we may be able to address, for example by additional signing.”