AN ELDERLY man riding a mobility scooter was left shaken and bruised after being thrown into a ditch during a “shocking” hit and run.

Keith Wainwright, 73, was ploughed into while riding across a zebra crossing on the vehicle – hitting not only him, but also his adorable lurcher Honey.

Despite the car to his right stopping for him to cross Runwell Road, Wickford, a black KA to his left failed to stop and drove into the pair.

Honey was hit first, before the car went into the back of Keith’s scooter and fled from the scene.

Fearful and frightened, Honey bolted, prompting a town-wide search while her owner was helped from a nearby ditch.

It was only hours later she was found in Rawreth, with both Mr Wainwright and his dog narrowly escaping with minor injuries.

But daughter, Carly Painter, fears it could’ve been fatal had her dad not been on his mobility scooter or if the car was driving at a faster speed.

The 37-year-old from Wickford, said: “It was such a shock to get that phone call. What’s disgusting is the driver didn’t even stop, they just drove off. How could you leave someone like that?

“Dad said it all happened so fast, but there was plenty of time for him to cross, the KA was a fair way off – the next thing he knew the car had ploughed into them both. If he was walking he could’ve gone onto the bonnet.

“Thankfully he’s okay now, but he is quite bruised and sore. I’ve taken Honey to the vets to be checked over, it looks like she has bruising, cuts and swelling too.

“Sadly his scooter isn’t drivable, the steering is completely broken.

"It’s hard where he has a lot of medical conditions including COPD, heart failure, he’s diabetic and has hip problems, so he can’t walk far at all on his own. Without it he can’t really go anywhere.”

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The family have since been overwhelmed by the support of the community – in particular Jaimie Harrison, who set up a Go Fund Me page to help raise money for a new scooter for Keith.

Janice Capon from Nopac Healthcare at the Alpha Garden Centre has even reached out to the family with an amazing offer of a display scooter.

Ms Harrison, a volunteer for Tilly’s Angels, said: “The first I heard about the incident was a frantic phone call from a customer of mine who was at the scene immediately after it happened. 

“After a scary couple of hours and lots of searchers within the community helping, Honey was located sore and frightened but safe. Sadly the same could not be said about the gentleman’s scooter which is his lifeline.

"So we wanted him to feel safe and supported, knowing that good people outweigh the bad.”

Essex Police have confirmed they are investigating the incident, which took place around 1.30pm on Tuesday.

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