A WOMAN who was first on the scene after a hit and run accident that left a man in a critical condition in hospital has urged the driver in question to come forward.

HADLEIGH: A woman who was first on the scene after a hit and run accident that left a man in a critical condition in hospital has urged the driver in question to come forward.

Catherine Mackay was in the car with her husband Allan and their two children aged five and nine when they came across Chris Corder lying badly injured in the road in Benton Street, Hadleigh, at about 12.50pm on Sunday.

The family were heading back from Colchester to their south Suffolk home at the time and Mrs Mackay has appealed for the driver of the suspect car, thought to be a dark coloured Jaguar, to make contact with the police.

She said: “The guy who hit him could not have not realised that he had hit him. It's vital that he comes forward.

“We were heading home. As we got round the corner we saw the man lying in the road.

“We could see straight away it was very serious. It's important that anyone who has any information comes straight forward. The longer that time goes on the less people will remember.”

She said her and her family were first on the scene and her husband tried to help the badly injured man.

She said: “It is lucky that my husband is battlefield-trained, he was able to use some of that experience. He was very calm and not shocked by the injuries.

“The young police officer who came to the scene did really well. It's not something we will get out of our minds very easily.

“The kids were very good. My eldest son offered a cloth to help stem the blood. They saw it was very serious and knew that someone needed their dad's help.

“I hope the perpetrator comes forward before he is found and shows he has a thread of human decency.”

Mr Corder, who is in his 50s, had been delivering the October edition of the parish newsletter and Very Rev Martin Thrower, of St Mary's Church, said it was a very difficult time for the family.

He said: “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.”

Mr Corder is now in a critical but stable condition after being airlifted to the Royal London Hospital.

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 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.