THE congregation of a Suffolk church is praying for one of its members who was left critically ill in hospital after being injured in a hit-and-run incident.

Elliot Furniss

THE congregation of a Suffolk church is praying for one of its members who was left critically ill in hospital after being injured in a hit-and-run incident.

Chris Corder, who is in his 50s, was knocked down in Benton Street, Hadleigh, at about 12.50pm on Sunday as he delivered copies of the October edition of the church magazine.

Mr Corder, who has three sisters, is now in a critical but stable condition after being airlifted to the Royal London Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The Very Rev Martin Thrower, of St Mary's Church, Hadleigh, said it was a difficult time for the family, who have lived in the town for decades.

He said: “His parents Maureen and Jeremy have been married for over 50 years and have lived in Hadleigh and brought up their children here for all their married life together.

“He (Mr Corder) devoted a lot of his time to helping the church and his family. It's particularly traumatic because he really has encountered some serious injuries.

“You want to do something more to help, but there's not much more we can do but wait and pray. It's just a really difficult time.''

He also praised the efforts of the emergency services who were sent to the incident and said they had worked courageously under challenging circumstances.

Rev Thrower added: “Someone is going to have the incident on their conscience for the rest of their life. The sooner they come forward and say it was them, the better it is going to be for them and for the family.”

A woman from south Suffolk who was first on the scene after the accident has also urged the driver to make contact with police.

Katherine Mackay was in the car with her husband Allan Mackay and their two children aged five and nine when they came across Mr Corder as he lay badly injured in the road.

She said: “The image of his poor broken body will not leave my mind for a long time. It is beyond description the heinous crime that has occurred here where someone thought of only themselves and not the person they had injured. You would not leave an animal in that way let alone a human being.”

Police have renewed their appeals for witnesses to the crash and are keen to hear from anyone who may have any information about the suspect dark-coloured Jaguar car.

A spokesman said: “The car is believed to have been damaged in the collision and anyone who has seen a damaged Jaguar yesterday evening or this morning should get in touch.”

Any calls can be made to the Serious Collision Investigation Team on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.