Cyclist in hospital following hit and run by driver who had failed to stop for police

A cyclist is in a serious condition in a hospital in Birmingham after he was knocked off his bike by a motorist whom police believe had failed to stop for traffic officers shortly beforehand.

The driver did not stop after the collision, and West Midlands Police have launched a witness appeal to try and trace the motorist.

The incident happened at around 4.30pm on Sunday 7 January on Moorside Road, Yardley Wood, close to the junction with The Centreway.

Officers believe that the car involved was a Ford Fiesta which had been followed by police in the minutes before the collision, with the driver failing to stop when officers indicated to do so.

A Ford Fiesta, believed to be the one involved in the collision, was found in Hornby Grove, Yardley Wood, at approximately 7.30pm on Sunday evening.

Chief Inspector Gareth Morris of West Midlands Police said: “While our focus is on finding out who was driving the car, our thoughts are understandably with the young man who has been seriously injured and his family and friends who are understandably very upset."

No arrests have been made as yet and police say that the cyclist, a 19-year-old man, remains in a serious condition in hospital.

Police have asked anyone with information to contact them on 101 or alternatively the charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Because the driver of the car believed to have been involved did not stop for officers shortly beforehand, the issue has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, formerly known as the Independent Police Complaints Commission.