THE father of a young boy who suffered life threatening injuries in a car fireball was keeping a bedside vigil last night as he battled for life.

The five-year-old was last night in a critical condition at a specialist burns unit in Bristol, three days after the car he was in, along with his 37-year-old mother and six-year-old sister, was engulfed by flames in a rural country road.

As reported, police and ambulance crews raced to Merdon Castle Lane in Hursley on Monday evening after two men found the Ford Fiesta they were travelling in well alight.

Detectives have since launched an attempted murder investigation as inquiries into the blaze continue.

The woman and the girl are still in a serious condition in hospital.

The children’s father is not a suspect in the ongoing investigation and no arrests have been made yet.

Police previously confirmed the incident was not “random” and said they are not looking for anyone in connection with the fire.

As reported, the little boy was pulled from the car thanks to the heroic actions of Alan Beusmans and his son William.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact the Operation Ursa team at Southampton on 101.