A TEENAGE boy is fighting for his life after being hit by a van in the early hours of the morning.

Well-wishers are praying for the 18-year-old, named locally as Samuel Cameron, who is in a critical condition following an accident in Paisley's Wellmeadow Street.

The incident, near to Lady Lane, happened at around 5am on Saturday.

Emergency services attended and the young man was taken to the Royal Alexandria Hospital and subsequently transferred to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Friends have taken to social media to express their distress and pass on their best wishes to the popular youngster who lives in the Glenburn area.

Billie Thomson commented on Facebook: "Just wish I was in the hospital cuddled up to the wee warrior right now feel so useless.

"Really wish I could help him. Head's all over the place knowing there is nothing you can do when the person you love the most is hurt. I know you can pull though this Sam."

Demi Jones‎ said: "You have so much life to still live. You can pull through this, we all know you can. Thoughts are with your family and close friends."

‎Dillon Davidson said: "Thinking of you bro. If anybody can pull through this its you keep fighting bro."

‎Carolyn Richardson‎ added: "Hey Sam your a fighter and have a good heart you keep strong."

Police are treating the incident as an accident and the van driver has been identified, though not charged.

A police spokesman said: "He is still in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and is in critical condition.

"There were several road closures while police investigated the scene.

"The young man was seen with two males before the accident who we are keen to speak to.

"Police Scotland's Traffic department are continuing to look into the circumstances."

Officers from the Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Divisional Road Policing Unit are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who may have information to contact them on the non-emergency number, 101.