Carer left with broken hip after '30mph' E-scooter hit and run in Gillingham
Published: 17:34, 02 October 2022
Updated: 19:49, 02 October 2022
An E-scooter rider fled the scene after crashing into a 50-year-old woman, leaving her injured in a park with a broken hip.
Nursing home carer Lee Finch is now waiting for an operation in Medway hospital, having been hit while walking her dog in Great Lines Park, Gillingham, at around midday on Friday.
Friend and colleague Mandy Griffin, who works with the mum-of-one at Frindsbury Hall nursing home, took to Facebook to appeal for information after the crash.
"He had his hood up and he was on this electric scooter doing a ridiculous speed," said Mandy. "She said he was doing about 30mph.
"He came passed her and clipped her, and then ran over the dog's foot, and the dog automatically pulled her to the ground. She's broken her hip."
She said the rider was an adult man, black, around 5ft 8ins tall, and had a beard. He was wearing a black hooded top with the hood pulled up.
"This man who ran her over fell to the ground as well," added Mandy, who said the rider swore before fleeing the scene.
Mrs Finch's five-year-old Jack Russell, Millie, was also injured in the incident and ran from the scene, and Mandy said a fellow walker also failed to help.
"She managed to get up because she was worried about her dog," added Mandy. "She called out to someone else in the park to help because the dog had ran off, and he said 'no'.
"A bloke came up to her saying 'are you looking for a dog?' His daughter had caught the dog, but they said it was bleeding."
Mrs Finch and her husband took the injured pet to the vets, who advised Mrs Finch to get checked out herself.
"They left the dog at the vet and went to hospital," added Mandy. "At the moment they don't know whether she needs a whole hip replacement or a pin and plate.
"We want to find witnesses. She wants to find out who it was.
"I think she's in shock – you're walking the dog one minute and then you end up like that. She's very angry, but I think she was more upset about her dog – she's her baby."
"She's got a £551 vet bill as well."
She said Mrs Finch's family were due to report the incident to the police today.
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Chris Hunter