A pensioner has branded a hit-and-run motorist who wrote off her mobility scooter as "horrible and mean".

Evelyn Knight, 83, was left suffering from shock after a car struck her scooter while she waited to cross the road in Braintree town centre.

Mrs Knight, of Collins Close, Braintree, was hoping to see the carnival procession when the incident happened in front of revellers, between 2.15pm and 2.30pm.

The widow, who has had a hip replacement and suffers from arthritis in her left knee and right ankle, described how she was waiting on the road, by the junction of Notley Road and South Street, to cross over to New Street.

She said: "All the traffic stopped to let me cross but a car came up from Notley Road at terrific speed hit me and didn't stop."

The black car was last seen going toward St Michael's Road towards High Street.

A nearby police patrol came to Mrs Knight's assistance and radioed a cab to get her home.

She was left unhurt but the scooter had extensive damage, including a twisted front bumper, steering and chassis, a crushed basket as well as badly dented bodywork.

She said of the car driver: "He is horrible, mean and selfish and probably only thinking of himself."

Published Tuesday, June 17, 2003

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