A TEENAGER is recovering in hospital after a collision which left him with a bleed on the brain.

Sam Cotton, a self-employed painter and decorator, was injured as he walked along St Peter's Road in Bournemouth on Saturday night with a group of friends.

The 19-year-old, who was allegedly on the pavement, also suffered a broken nose, swollen eyes, hip injuries and extensive cuts and bruises.

A family member told the Daily Echo he was in collision with a car and that passers-by and residents came to his aid as he and his friends waited for an ambulance.

She added: "People from a nearby language school came out with duvets and blankets while they waited for an ambulance."

Sam, who lives in Bournemouth town centre, was taken to Poole Hospital by ambulance and has since been told he has a bleed on the brain.

The family member, who does not wish to be named, added: "He is in a lot of pain and he's been scared to go to sleep since they told him about the bleed on his brain.

"He also has his own business which is going to be badly affected."

Sam has posted a message on Facebook from his hospital bed which says: "To those who may not know what occurred I was struck by a car in Bournemouth. I was taken to Poole Hospital for treatment.

"Surprisingly I have no broken bones, I have several bruises and cuts, I also have a small bleed on my brain, I’m expected to make a full recovery and be back to my normal self in no time.

"Thank you to everyone sending me their love and support and a huge thank you to Dorset Police and to Poole Hospital and the paramedics that helped me."

A 31-year-old Bournemouth man has been charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving a motor with alcohol level above the legal limit, failing to stop after an accident and failing to provide a specimen for analysis. He was due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court yesterday.