A teenage cyclist hit by a car at rush hour was told by a mother that she couldn't stop to help him because his bloodied face would scare her kids, it has been reported.
Taron Stead, 17, who had just bought his new mountain bike after taking on an IT apprenticeship, was hit during the morning traffic on Crookes Valley Road, Sheffield, last Friday and left covered in blood and bruises.
The male driver of the silver car stopped and a woman got out of the passenger seat, according to Stead's mother Naomi Pickard. She proceeded to tell him that her kids were upset, and that they were late for school, and then drove off without giving her details, the Sheffield Star reported, publishing a picture of Stead's injuries.
Taron Stead's injuries after his accident
Pickard, 45, told the paper: “Taron said the woman in the car got out looked over at him, told him she had children in the car who were upset and she didn’t want them to be late for school, then the car drove off.
“I can’t believe anyone would leave an injured child at the side of the road after a crash, but it was rush hour and it would have been busy so I am hoping that witnesses come forward and help the police trace the driver. There is CCTV in the area too.
“I hope the driver and his passenger who drove off see Taron’s injuries and think about their actions. Fortunately he was wearing a helmet, or I dread to think what might have happened.”
The teen was found by staff from Sheffield University’s law school nearby, who called paramedics and took care of his wounds. Pickard said that staff from a local Halfords had been so horrified by the story they offered to repair his bike for free.
A South Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: “On Friday 6 March, it is reported that a 17-year-old boy on a bicycle was travelling towards Brook Hill along Crooks Valley Road onto Winter Street.
At around 8.30am, the cyclist and a vehicle turning onto Mushroom Lane were in collision. It is reported that the vehicle left the scene.
"The cyclist suffered facial injuries and bruising. The vehicle is described as a silver Ford, either a Focus or Mondeo."
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision to contact 101 quoting incident number 191 of March 6th 2015.