Nigel Martin, who lives in Sedgemoor Court on Daventry’s Lang Farm estate, was walking his son Owen home from school last Thursday when the accident happened.

They had just crossed a large green and Owen was a few yards ahead of his father when he got to the edge of the road.

As he started to look left for traffic Owen caught his foot on the kerb, which was standing around two inches about the grass level, and stumbled onto Sedgemoor Way and into the path of a car.

Mr Martin said: “It all seemed to happen in slow motion and Owen’s life flashed before my eyes.

“It was horrific to see that happen to your child.

“There was nothing the driver could have done. Thankfully they were keeping to the speed limit, unlike most who use that road.

“Owen went up onto the car’s bonnet and his head almost hit the windscreen.

“Then the driver braked and he slid off.”

Owen was treated at the scene by ambulance staff, but was lucky to escape with minor injuries including grazes and bruising.

A Northamptonshire County Council spokesman said: “Our highways partner MGWSP visited Sedgemoor Way on Tuesday and determined that after an inspection works will be carried out within the month to level the kerbside and grass verge.”

However Sedgemoor Way is a straight section of road at the entrance to the estate and Mr Martin says the majority of motorist using it break the 20mph limit despite speed bumps at the ends of the road.

He wants to see the dip in the grass repaired and measures taken to slow drivers down, but the county council has said there is little more it can do.