Cyclist left with fractured skull in hit and run in East Street, Southend

The victim was hit by the car in East Street, Southend, and left with serious injuries.

He was forced to make his way to a nearby pub, thought to be the Railway Tavern, where he could seek help.

Staff at the pub gave the cyclist initial first aid treatment before an ambulance was called and he was taken to hospital.

It was discovered he had suffered a fractured skull and a serious hand injury.

The driver of the car fled the scene.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash and to anyone who can identify the driver.

The car, described as dark blue with a silver or light coloured patch on the back, hit the cyclist on the bridge over the railway station at around 9pm on Monday, August 6.

Councillor Julian Ware-Lane said: “It is absolutely incomprehensible to me that somebody could knock someone off of their bike and then just drive off - the absolute bare minimum that somebody should do is stop their car and check that the person is okay.

“I like to think that if I was knocked off a bike then somebody would stop and call an ambulance if necessary, and the people who are doing this awful thing of just driving away need to put themselves in the same position.

“How would they feel if it happened to them, or somebody they loved? It seems silly to even suggest it because it should be basic knowledge, but if these hit-and-run incidents are happening regularly then perhaps there needs to be a media campaign on what steps you should take as a motorist.

“As a councillor, I get a lot of complaints about people cycling on paths, but it is easy to understand why when cyclists are facing increasingly dangerous conditions on the roads.”

If you saw or heard anything, have CCTV, were driving in the area and have dash cam footage or have any other information please call Essex Police on 101 quoting incident 423 of 07/08.

Alternatively you can contact independent crimefighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.