Thousands of pounds raised for family of Essex cyclist killed in hit and run

Well-wishers have donated more than £4,000 through a crowdfunding website to help support the family of an Essex cyclist who has died following a hit-and-run incident last week.

Family friend Sarah Ward-Kaye set up a page on the website Go Fund Me following the death of the cyclist, named Steve and aged in his 40s, on the evening of Thursday 1 December.

He passed away in the Royal London Hospital where he had been taken with serious head injuries after being knocked from his bike by the driver of a minibus who failed to stop at the scene of the incident, which happened at around 3.3am.

The crash happened on Roding View in Buckhurst Hill, reports Essex Live. Police discovered a wing mirror at the scene which they believe came from the vehicle involved.

Steve was married to Dalene, originally from South Africa, with whom he had a 10-year-old son, Jonathan, described by Ms Ward-Kaye on the Go Fund Me page as “a wonderful, bright and artistic” boy.

She wrote: "This little boy is now left without his dad and Dalene without her husband.

“Dalene is South African but has lived in the UK for the past 30 odd years. Her family are based in South Africa and Australia and are trying their hardest to get to the UK to support their sister and nephew at this sad time.

“I am fundraising for Dalene, Jonathan and Steve's family to help with the forthcoming expenses and to try and ease the financial worries so this family can concentrate on being together and healing.”

Essex Police have issued an appeal to try and trace the driver who fled the scene, with Detective Inspector Dave Jones of the Serious Collision Unit saying: "We believe the vehicle involved in this collision was a small lorry, probably less than seven and-a-half tonnes, and light, possible white, in colour.

"It was travelling towards Buckhurst Hill from Debden. I would urge the driver of the vehicle to come forward and contact us.

"Equally if there are any transport managers or transport companies who have noticed anything suspicious about one of their vehicles, particularly that it may be missing a wing mirror, please get in touch urgently.

"Additionally I would urge any shops in the Loughton, Debden and Buckhurst Hill areas that receive deliveries from a vehicle matching that description to also contact us.

"A man has sadly died following this collision and it is important we find out exactly what happened".

Anyone who has information is requested to call officers on 240590 or email CollisionAppeal [at] essex.pnn.police.uk.