Cyclist injured in '˜dangerous driving' crash

A cyclist said he was lucky to escape serious injury after a hit and run crash in Horley.
Don Reed. This photo was posed at the scene, with the help of a passer-byDon Reed. This photo was posed at the scene, with the help of a passer-by
Don Reed. This photo was posed at the scene, with the help of a passer-by

Don Reed, from Ifield, told the Obby that a driver appeared to deliberately drive into his bike on Tuesday April 19 afternoon.

He said a white Mercedes convertible - which may have been left hand drive - came up close behind him before overtaking him in Meath Green Lane and pulling up in front of him.

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“He called me all the names under the sun,” said Mr Reed. “I went round him.”

Once he was in front of the car, he said he heard the engine rev, then the car hit his bike.

Mr Reed rolled off the car bonnet, landed on the left hand side of the road, then rolled along the grass verge.

He said he was left with severe lower back pain, and was taken by ambulance to East Surrey Hospital.

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He was discharged around 7pm, with an unpleasant bruise, but no serious injury.

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them.

A statement from Surrey Police said: “The incident took place at around 1pm on Tuesday, 19 April when the cyclist, a man in his forties from Crawley, was riding down Meath Green Lane.

“A white Mercedes convertible drove up behind the cyclist and attempted to drive past.

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“The cyclist and the vehicle driver then became involved in a verbal altercation and the Mercedes subsequently drove into the back wheel of the pedal cycle – causing the cyclist to fall off his bicycle into a grass verge at the side of the road.

“The car drove away from the collision without stopping. The cyclist suffered minor back injuries during the collision.”

PC Dan Kite, who is investigating the incident, said: “This was clearly a serious incident where the irresponsible driving of the Mercedes could easily have had tragic consequences.

“Fortunately the victim only sustained minor injuries but he was understandably left very shaken by the collision.

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“This sort of dangerous driving puts other road users at risk and we need information from the public to help us track down the driver.

“I would urge anyone who saw the incident or where the white Mercedes convertible went following the collision to contact us as those details could prove vital to our on-going investigation.”

Anyone who witnessed the collision or with any information should call Surrey Police on 101, quoting reference 45160032354, or call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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