Police were today hunting a hit-and-run driver who left a teaching assistant needing hospital treatment after knocking her off her bike.

The 37-year-old woman, of Lawford, was knocked unconscious when she was thrown from her cycle during the collision with a van in the village.

Traffic police are trying to trace people in the white Mercedes Sprinter-style van, who are thought to have carried the woman to the side of the road and driven off.

Paramedics were called to the scene, at about 1.15pm on Friday, at the junction of Long Road and Cavendish Drive.

They took her by air ambulance to Colchester General Hospital, where she was treated for cuts on her head, bruising and concussion, before being released later that night.

PC Kevin Carter, of Thorpe traffic police, said three witnesses had come forward. The van was seen driving off in the Colchester direction.

Both men in the vehicle were white. The driver was described as being in his 50s.

Anyone with information should contact PC Carter at Thorpe traffic police on 01255 861455 or the Stanway unit on 01206 762512

Published Monday October 14, 2002

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