HEARTFELT prayers and messages of support have been sent to the teenager who was hit by a car in Chesterway.

Jacob Starkey suffered serious head injuries in the crash, which happened by the junction of Chesterway and Kingsway at 8.10pm on Monday, October 19.

The 18-year-old, from Rudheath, was taken to North Staffordshire Hospital, where his condition was described as ‘poorly but stable’ as the Guardian went to press yesterday, Tuesday.

Readers have been contacting the Guardian with their messages of good will for Jacob.

Tracey Fairfield, whose son Matthew is his best friend, said: “They’ve been best mates since primary school and have done so much together and are in a band together.

“It’s a very sad time for everyone.

“He’s such a lovely lad – I’ve known him since he was a little lad and watched him grow up.”

She added: “I am wishing Jacob and his family all the prayers and love in the world.”

Jacob went to Rudheath Primary School and Rudheath High School before becoming a foundation degree student at Mid-Cheshire College, studying commercial music technology.

Principal John Reilly said: “We were very shocked to hear of Jacob’s accident.

“All of us at Mid-Cheshire College hope he makes a full and speedy recovery which will allow him to return, in due course, to his music technology studies.”

Messages have also been left on our website northwichguardian.co.uk.

A Leftwich reader posted: “I am praying for Jacob Starkey, so very very hard, he didn’t deserve this and I pray for his family that he will definately pull through.”

shazmojo, from Winsford, added: “For this to happen to anyone is shocking but to happen to someone so young makes it all the more horrific.”

Readers also criticised police as they said it took 20 minutes for the first police vehicle to reach the scene, but a spokesman for Cheshire Police said the first officers attended seven minutes after they received the emergency call, with further officers arriving two minutes after that and more officers arriving three minutes after that.