A quick-thinking teenager rushed to the aid of a mother and her baby after they were involved in a collision with a hit and run driver.

Kristian Farthing, 13, was at North East Essex Co-operative Academy, in Turner Road, Colchester, when he saw the crash take place.

Without a second thought, Kristian dashed outside and went straight over to help a young mum, whose baby was still inside her smoking vehicle.

He said: “A lady got out of the car and I went straight over to try to calm her down.

“I noticed there was a baby in the back seat and the car was smoking.

“I took the baby out of the car and held it, trying to calm it down as well.”

Members of staff at the school rushed to join him, and directed traffic while emergency services were en route. When the driver of the second vehicle fled the scene - staff even gave chase.

Kristian, who lives in Tolleshunt D’Arcy, said: “While holding the baby I looked at the guy in the other car and saw him run away.

“I thought about giving chase, but I decided it was best to stay with the lady.

“There was a lot of damage to the vehicles and both were write offs.

“The male driver was going far too fast around the corner and was on the other side of the road.”

Kristian’s mother Sue Farthing said she was extremely proud of his actions.

She said: “He didn’t think of himself, he just rushed straight out there. He got the baby straight out of the vehicle without thinking, for a 13-year-old kid to respond like that is amazing.”

Following the collision on Thursday, the mother was taken to Colchester Hospital by the East of England Ambulance Service. Her injuries were not serious.

Turner Road remained closed for several hours after the crash at 1.40pm on Thursday. 

A spokesman for North East Essex Co-operative Academy, praised Kristian and the staff’s quick thinking.

He said: “Staff helped a number of patients travelling to

Colchester Hospital for their radiography appointments, allowing them to use the school

car park and walk to the hospital.”

Essex Police are looking to trace the driver of the vehicle who fled the scene.

Read more about the crash here.