Cyclist Antony Bishop is recovering with friends in Narre Warren North after being the victim of a hit and run. 48481Picture: Stewart Chambers
By Kelly Yates
A CYCLIST who has more than 30 years’ experience on the bike was the victim of a hit and run.
Cyclist Antony Bishop, from Fairfield Queensland, was visiting friends in Narre Warren when the incident, which left him with serious injuries, occurred.
The 46-year-old was cycling along Harkaway Road in Berwick at 2.10pm on Monday 24 May when he was struck from behind by a car.
“I ride between 12,000 and 16,000km every year and this is the first time in my life that I’ve been hit by a car,” Mr Bishop said.
“I thought to myself as I was riding that the section of road was quiet and narrow. Cars had been going around me. Then I heard this one car and expected it to go around me but all of a sudden I could feel my bike starting to break up and I knew it wasn’t going to be pretty.”
The next thing Mr Bishop recalls is waking up on the road after being thrown into the guard rail.
The driver of the car didn’t stop.
“I dragged myself off the road and immediately there were people there helping me. I think I must have passed out for a few minutes,” he said.”
Mr Bishop was taken to The Alfred hospital where he was treated for three fractured vertebrae, four broken ribs and had surgery on his left ankle.
He spent five days in hospital.
Police are on the hunt for the driver of the car.
Senior Constable Allen Inderwisch from the Casey Traffic Management Unit (TMU) said the car, believed to be a 1996 to 2000 model Hyundai Excel Sedan, would have possible damage to its front left-hand side and be missing its left-hand side mirror.
He wants anyone who may have seen the damaged car to call police.
“We are hoping the driver will do the right thing and come forward to police,” he said.
Mr Bishop, who started cycling when he was in his teens, said he still planned to re-locate to the Narre Warren area, despite the hit and run.
He is recovering from his injuries with friends in Narre Warren North.
“The biggest disappointment was that the driver didn’t stop to help,” he said.
“Sometimes it’s the three or four minutes after the incident and before emergency services get to the scene that can help save a life.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Senior Constable Allen Inderwisch at the Casey Traffic Management Unit on 5991 0600.
