POLICE are hunting a hit-and-run van driver who sped off after smashing into a car containing three young men.

The Transit-style van drove off after it was in a collision with a Volkswagen Lupo after coming off the A38 slip road at Chudleigh Knighton.

The small car containing the three men, from the Chudleigh area, was travelling towards Bovey Tracey when the van, which had come off the dual carriageway, hit it head-on.

None of the teenagers was seriously hurt but they needed hospital treatment for whiplash injuries and shock.

The mother of one of those involved, who did not wish to be named, said: "It was lucky no-one was killed."

The incident happened at 9.45pm on Monday.

The three friends were driving towards Bovey Tracey along the B3344 when the van came off the A38 slip road and hit their car.

The vehicle made off without stopping.

A passing motorist alerted emergency services. Police, ambulance and fire crews attended. The three young men were taken to Torbay Hospital suffering whiplash injuries and shock.

The VW Lupo was written off.

The mum said: "The car was completely smashed in at the front.

"My son had to climb through the window of his car to get out and he chased the van down the road, trying to get a registration or something. But it went back on the A38 towards Plymouth.

"It's a miracle no-one was seriously hurt and police said that they were lucky no-one was killed.

"The car is written off. The boys were all very shocked.

"We drove around the next day trying to see if we could find the van but we found nothing. The car has got scrapes of what looks like green and yellow paint on it from the van.

"We are desperate to track down the van and want anyone who may have seen anything to contact police.

"The van must be in a pretty bad way itself so it would be quite noticeable."

Police inquiries are focusing on vans caught on camera travelling down the road at the time of the collision and they are also following up lines of inquiry around the registration plate.

A police spokesman said: "We are looking for a white Transit-style van. We believe it may have had a fruit logo on its side.

"Police have conducted a search of the area and are now following other lines of inquiry to try and track down the van driver.

"We would appeal for anyone who may have seen the van, either at the time or since the incident, to come forward."

Anyone with information can call police on 08452 777 444 quoting crime reference number 1065 of August 30.