Alex Osborn, 21, was on her way to work when she was hit in Strood

by Nicola Jordan

A young mother said she was left for dead after being knocked down by a hit-and-run driver as she walked to work.

Alex Osborn, 21, was dragged 15 yards against a brick wall after a white van veered out of control and mounted the pavement in Cuxton Road, Strood.

The driver then set off leaving Alex reeling in agony - only to stop further up the road to look for his wing mirror that had snapped off in the impact.

Alex, who has a six-year-old daughter Ruby, had been on her usual journey to Rochester High Street, where she works at Micawbers Fish Bar, on Monday morning.

"i don't know anyone who can make off, not knowing whether my daughter is dead or alive, can sleep at night..." – alison osborn

She said: "I could hear the vehicle coming up behind me and then suddenly it was in my face. It wedged me against the wall and then pulled me along as he made off."

A passer-by heard Alex's screams and called police and ambulance.

Alex, who lives in Strood, said: "The ambulanceman said I was lucky to be alive."

She was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital, where she was treated for bruising, cuts, a black eye, sprains and a suspected broken rib.

She said: "I dread to think what would have happened if it had been a small child or older person. If it had been earlier there may have children on their way to school."

A witness said the driver got out of his vehicle to look for his wing mirror, which was later found in a garden.

Alex's mum Alison Osborn, 46, said she was "horrified" the driver did not stop.

Mrs Osborn said: "We all can make mistakes. If he had been on his phone and just lost control we could understand. But I don't know anyone who can make off, not knowing whether my daughter is dead or alive, can sleep at night."

Skid marks and a scraped wall where Alex Osborn was struck by a van

Alex was willing to have her injuries photographed in a bid to shame the driver into coming forward.

She said: "Above all I want this person caught. I don't want anyone else to go through what I've been through.

"I will never walk down that stretch of road again and I'm getting flashbacks of that van in my face."

A Kent Police spokesman confirmed the vehicle, a white Ford Transit van, failed to stop after the collision. He said: "It is reported to have driven off along Darnley Road, Strood."

Witnesses to the incident, which happened at about 10.30am on Monday, or anyone with information are asked to phone police on 101, quoting reference 15-435.