More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
The granddaughter of a pensioner critically injured in a hit and-run in Medway has spoken out as the hunt for the driver continues.
Thomas Davis, 85, is still fighting for his life after being struck by what is thought to have been a silver hatchback car in Rainham on Friday.
Mr Davis, who used to live in Gillingham, was visiting the area for the annual dinner of the Polhill Cycling Club, which he founded, in Upchurch.
He was dropped off outside the Premier Inn on the A2 London Road - at the Maidstone Road junction - at about 11.20pm.
Mr Davis crossed the road from the Sittingbourne-bound side towards the Premier Inn, but as he reached the Gillingham-bound side of the road was hit by what is believed to be a silver Peugeot. The driver did not stop.
"A man's life is in the balance and we owe it to him and his family to find out exactly how this serious collision occurred..." - Insp Martin Stevens
The emergency services were called and Mr Davis was taken to hospital after he suffered multiple serious injuries.
Now his granddaughter Nicole Sawhney, who has been at his bedside daily, said: "Tom is an active cyclist. He lives in Lincoln but he used to live in Gillingham where he established the Polhill Cycling Club.
"He lives a very active life and whenever the sun is shining he goes out on his bike.
"He is the main carer for my nan and this has come as such a shock to us all. He has serious injuries.
"Nine of his ribs are broken and his lungs are bruised. This means he is struggling to get enough oxygen.
"He has fractures to his vertebrae and bleeds on his brain. We are under no illusions and know he has a lot to battle through."
Ms Sawhney is supporting the police investigation as officers appeal for witnesses.
Insp Martin Stevens, from the serious collision investigation unit at Kent Police, said: "Our investigation is continuing and we are attempting to locate the driver of the vehicle.
"The road is a busy one and we are confident that there would have been people and motorists in the area at the time of the collision.
"Did you see a vehicle either acting suspiciously or driving at speed at around the time of the collision?
"Were you driving along the A2 in Medway before or after the incident occurred.
"Do you have a dashboard camera that may have captured the vehicle at some stage that night?
"A man's life is in the balance and we owe it to him and his family to find out exactly how this serious collision occurred."
He added: "Mr Davis is a father, grandfather and great grandfather, how would you feel if someone treated your family member this way?
"Someone out there knows what happened. Someone knows who was driving that car and I urge them to do the right thing and contact us."
Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to phone police on 01622 798538.
