Stotfold cyclist 'in limbo' 10 months after hit-and-run crash

Stephen Mead is sharing his story ahead of Road Safety Week, organised by charity Brake

A cyclist has been "stuck in limbo" for almost a year after being injured in a hit-and-run by a driver using cloned number plates.

Stephen Mead, 59, from Stotfold, Bedfordshire, was involved in a head-on collision with a car in January, suffering serious injuries.

The driver left the scene and is yet to be identified.

Mr Mead, who was taken to hospital with fractures to his arm and leg, has issued a plea for information.

"I'll never forget the image of the car coming towards me. I thought it was going to slow down and stop for me to get past, but it didn't," he said.

"I tried to get up on to the kerb but it was too late and I went flying over the bonnet. Someone who saw the crash said they thought the driver was speeding, but I can't remember."

At the time of the crash, Mr Mead, an electronics technician, was wearing a helmet and a hi-vis cycling jacket. He also had lights on his bike.

He said the following weeks were "incredibly difficult" as he needed a lot of help from his partner Michelle Morse with tasks such as washing his hair and getting dressed.

'Fled the scene selfishly'

His arm subsequently refractured and he needed more surgery.

"I'm now back at work but I find I can't do as much as I used to. It frustrates and upsets me, but thankfully I have a very supportive team," he said.

Rita Alsoof, a solicitor from Irwin Mitchell, who is aiding Mr Mead's compensation claim, said: "What's particularly distressing for him is that the driver, who had cloned registration plates, fled the scene selfishly and without consideration to the trauma they've caused Stephen."

The collision involved a silver Ford Galaxy or S-Max with cloned registration plates YP17 HZK, and happened at about 16:30 GMT on 2 January at Common Road, Stotfold.

Mr Mead added: "I'd be grateful if anyone who has any detail about that day to come forward. At the minute, I'm stuck in limbo and I need some answers to be able to properly move forward with my recovery."

A Bedfordshire Police spokesperson confirmed the incident had been closed since there were no further lines of inquiry.

"However, any investigation that has been closed can be reopened if further evidence comes to light," they added.

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