Police appeal after driver rams Suffolk cyclist from behind

A cyclist from Suffolk has spoken of his “terrifying” ordeal when he was hit by a car that dragged his bike along the road and was driven away without stopping.

Chris Matthews, aged 26 and from Bury St Edmunds, was out for a ride with friends at around 5pm on Thursday 19 June when the incident happened on the B1066 at Whepstead, reports the Bury Free Press.

He told the newspaper that the driver of the vehicle, a silver Vauxhall Corsa, sounded his horn as it passed the riders, then slowed down, meaning they had to pass it again. The vehicle then struck the rear wheel of his bike, causing him to be thrown off.

The cyclist said: “It was a feeling of disbelief more than anything. The initial impact had thrown me straight off.

“I was dragged along for a metre or so before I got free from my bike.”

The driver then made off, stopping only to reverse his car to free the bike, which had been caught underneath it.

“When it first happened I was concerned how my bike was but then realised I was bleeding,” Mr Matthews recalled.

“It was terrifying moment. My bike was wrecked - the handlebars have been worn away. I have nothing broken thankfully but both my elbows and forearms have been scratched and grazed.

“It could have been a lot worse. As a cyclist you get a few irresponsible drivers but not in a million years would I expect someone to ram you from behind.”

Suffolk Constabulary have issued an appeal for information to help track down the motorist, who is described as a stocky man aged in his late forties with short, light coloured or grey hair. Police can be contacted on 101.