A CLOSE-KNIT community has reacted with fury today after a hit and run driver left a 79-year-old man lying in the street with a broken hip. The pensioner was crossing the road at the junction of Norwich Road and Sherrington Road at 1pm yesterday when he was struck by the vehicle.

A CLOSE-KNIT community has reacted with fury today after a hit and run driver left a 79-year-old man lying in the street with a broken hip.

The pensioner was crossing the road at the junction of Norwich Road and Sherrington Road at 1pm yesterday when he was struck by the vehicle.

One witness, who did not wish to be named, said she saw the man thrown off his mobility scooter in the smash as the vehicle left the scene.

She said: “I was having my lunch looking out of the window when I heard this massive bang. When I looked up I remember seeing the man being thrown off his trike.

“There was debris flying everywhere. I couldn't believe what I was seeing and I remember thinking 'Did that really happen?' then I realised the poor man was left lying on the road. It was shocking to see and it was very surreal.”

The man was taken to Ipswich hospital suffering from shock and a broken hip.

The witness said: “The driver carried on. I am really angry about it. Whoever was driving that vehicle must have known he had hit something. I was indoors and I heard the bang. He should have stopped.”

The witness rushed to the scene while a colleague called the ambulance.

She added: “We brought out some pillows. There were lots of people there helping him.”

Mina Bhatt, a pharmacy assistant at nearby Rainbow Pharmacy, was one of those who rushed out to offer help.

She said: “It is very sad what happened. He is a lovely chap and he and his wife are regular customers. He was suffering from shock. The police asked us if we have CCTV cameras but unfortunately we do not. ”

Lisa Miller spokeswoman for Suffolk police said: “He was crossing a pelican crossing on a green light on his mobility scooter when he was hit by a vehicle that drove off towards the direction of Ipswich town centre.

“Witnesses have described the vehicle as a silver Rover 214.”

Mrs Miller added: “We are appealing for witnesses or the driver of the vehicle to come forward.”

Anyone with any information should call PC Steph Cook on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800555111.

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