A YOUNG football fanatic s struggle for life ended on Sunday – five days after being hit by a car. Warren Hay, 16, was run over by a red Vauxhall Corsa in Huntingdon last Tuesday as he walked with friends to watch a football match. The St Peter s School p

A YOUNG football fanatic's struggle for life ended on Sunday - five days after being hit by a car.

Warren Hay, 16, was run over by a red Vauxhall Corsa in Huntingdon last Tuesday as he walked with friends to watch a football match.

The St Peter's School pupil suffered serious head injuries and was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge where he remained until Sunday evening.

The accident has prompted calls for a safety review on the A141 on the outskirts of Huntingdon, close to the Kings Ripton junction, where the incident took place just after 6pm. The driver of the Corsa, a 54-year-old man from March, was not injured. Warren, who lived in Robin Terrace, Alconbury, and played for Alconbury Colts Under 16s Football Club, had been on his way to watch his former Huntingdon Rowdies team-mates in action at Jubilee Park.

John Dunleavy, manager of Huntingdon Rowdies Under 16s told The Hunts Post that each season hundreds of children heading to football matches at the park use the same route on which Warren was hit.

"I am taking it hard because he was coming to watch one of my games and the accident should never have happened," he said. "It is not safe walking along that road and until something is done it will happen again. We just can't take that chance."

He added: "Everyone knew at the game what had happened and we were - and still are - devastated. Hundreds of children use that route to get to football games, and it was only a matter of time before something like this happened."

The manager believes lighting, a pathway or a crossing are needed along the road. "I will not stop until something is done," he said.

Many of Warren's team-mates, friends and school colleagues have paid tribute to a boy whose greatest passion was football.

On his Bebo online profile, Chelsea fan Warren (who was also known as Wazza) wrote: "I love football, it is the greatest thing ever invented and I'm happiest when I'm playing."

Mark Ladlow, manager of Warren's club, Alconbury Colts Under 16s FC, spoke on behalf of the family - mother, Maxine, father John and twin sister Rebecca.

He told The Hunts Post: "To those who knew him, Warren's life could have easily been mistaken for one long game of football. If he wasn't to be seen kicking the ball, it was only because he was holding it.

"He was a happy lad, always full of life who delighted in winding up his team mates. This, and his great determination, made him both a manager's biggest asset and, at the same time, greatest challenge - Warren loved the sound of his own voice."

Mr Ladlow added: "It is hard to put into perspective just how greatly Warren's involvement and enthusiasm for youth football will be missed in Alconbury. A lifelong competitor, even at the youthful age of 16, his efforts have already touched and influenced the lives of many.

St Peters School in Huntingdon is planning a football match tomorrow (Thursday) in memory of Warren as well as an assembly to celebrate his life. A book of remembrance has been placed in the hall.

A school spokesman said: "Everyone at St Peter's is devastated by this tragedy. Warren was a bright, lively young man who was extremely popular, not only with his Year 11 peers but with younger students as well.

"St Peter's will miss Warren very much."

The school has also started a petition to campaign for a bridge along King's Ripton Road close to where Warren was hit and for cycle lanes to be built, leading to Jubilee Park.

Sixty youngsters have already signed the petition.

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire County Council said prior to Warren's death, there had not been any serious accidents on the A141 near to the Kings Ripton junction in the past five years.

He added: "Until the results of the police investigation and inquest are back we cannot comment on the circumstances of the accident. But we will be looking at both results to see if there is anything that can be done to improve that area."

A police spokesman said the incident was still being investigated.

INFORMATION: Anyone with information about the accident is asked to contact Pc Crawford on 0845 4564564. To leave messages in memory of Warren visit www.huntspost.co.uk or to support the petition phone Mr Dunleavy on 07756 577015.

For details about the funeral, contact Anglia Co-op Funerals on 01480 458360.