The father of a teenager injured in a hit-and-run crash is asking witnesses to come forward.

Ashley Cowles, 17, was cycling up Basser Hill, Lower Halstow, at about 10.30pm when a 4x4 clipped his wheel.

The impact sent him over the bonnet and into a ditch but the vehicle did not stop.

Ashley’s father, David, of Grove Park Avenue, Sittingbourne, said: “The accident happened on Ashley’s 17th birthday and he was due to start at MidKent College on a plumbling course.

“He was on his way back from a friend’s house when he was hit.

“He had to walk about two miles in the dark, due to his phone being smashed, to another friend’s house who called for help.”

Former Westlands pupil Ashley was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital, before being referred to Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead.

He also had to go to the eye clinic at Maidstone hospital.

Father-of-three David said: “Ashley had a puncture wound under his eye of which the doctor said he was very lucky not to have lost his sight, a cut nose and forehead.

"Ashley had a puncture wound under his eye of which the doctor said he was very lucky not to have lost his sight, a cut nose and forehead" - David Cowles

"He suffered a ripped off nail on his little finger, nail and tissue damage to his ring finger and a crushed knuckle in which the ligaments had to be sewn together.

“His knee was badly cut open. He lost a lot of blood and his body was covered in cuts and abrasions.”

The hit and run happened on on Friday, October 6.

Ashley was due to return to East Grinstead yesterday for dressing changes and physiotherapy.

David, 52, said it could have been much worse.

“Ashley could have laid there with internal injuries, in a ditch where no one would have found him and died alone.

“He could have suffered broken bones, unable to move in the road only to be hit again by another vehicle.

“This makes me furious and angry that this person or persons can inflict these injuries to my son and show no remorse in what he or she has done.

“They need to be found before they do it again and kill someone.

To help, call police on 01795 419119, quoting reference 08-950, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.