Appeal to trace driver of hit and run continues as cyclist tells of moment he was left for dead

A cyclist has told about the horror moment he saw the driver who knocked him over speed off, leaving him for dead.

Police Scotland confirmed this week that enquiries are "still ongoing" to catch the driver responsible for the hit and run on Lanarkshire cyclist, Mark Richards.

The 50-year-old was released from hospital this week after he was mowed down in Blantyre two weeks ago.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, he said: "The part of road I was on when I was struck by the vehicle had a cycle route at the side of it.

"I thought that was a nice safe route home. I certainly didn't expect to be hit by a car when I was in the cycle lane.

Mark was left for dead by a driver (Carol Richards)

"I remember the car striking me hard on my body and thinking I had been hit by a vehicle hard, flying through the air, hitting the ground and then coming to a stop - I can vividly remember looking down the road except I was slightly disorientated at the time.

"I can remember seeing a vehicle driving away and me thinking to myself, 'I think that's the car that just hit me and that driver's not stopped, just driven off'."

Lanarkshire Live told you previously how Mark was left bleeding at the side of the road as the callous driver sped off from the scene.

The active dad-of-two was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow with serious injuries, and said he is "only able to lie down or stand up," and will have to wear a back brace for three months.

"I knew I was badly hurt and I was worried about the extent of the injuries," Mark said in the interview.

"I knew I had hurt my back and I was worried about whether there would be serious damage to my spine that could have long-term consequences for me.

"Their initial assessment of the damage was two spinal fractures. On the Monday I had the MRI scan to assess for any other damage to the spinal cord or any additional soft tissue damage.

"The outcome of that scan was I actually had three spinal fractures rather than two. I was in a lot of pain from the damage done to particularly the right side of my body.”

Mark said he was going 'about 25mph' downhill at the time, suggesting the car was going at 'between 40-60mph'.

His wife Carol hit out at the driver, urging the person responsible to come forward.

Police Scotland said: "Our investigation into the hit and run between Blantyre and Cambuslang on April 24 is ongoing."

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101. Information can be left anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.