A DELIVERY cyclist was thrown from her bike and into a busy Southend road when a car door was opened directly in front of her.

Ellese Goodmaker was left needing hospital treatment after the incident.

The 23-year-old was cycling along York Road, Southend making a food delivery for Just Eat when a driver opened a car door in her path.

She had no time to react and the next thing she remembers is lying in the middle of the road in excruciating pain.

Ms Goodmaker said she attempted to ride off again, but only got 50 yards before having to stop, and go to hospital.

The rider ended up suffering a “major” sprain in her arm which has left a large lump, plus bruises over her body.

Ms Goodmaker is trying to locate the driver whose door opened in front of her to pursue an insurance claim, as she could be out of work for a month.

She said: “I was riding along for Just Eat and had a backpack on my back.

“The next thing I knew I was lying by another car.

“I think he opened it very, very hard.

“I was in pain, my neck was hurting. He did come over to me and asked if I was ok.

“I was in such a state basically I didn’t know what was going on.

“He tried to twist the handles of the bike back for me, then I went on my way but broke down, I cycled for about 50 yards.”

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Following treatment and x-rays at Southend Hospital, Ms Goodmaker, from Southchurch, was discharged following the incident on Tuesday.

While she has no broken bones, the sprain means she will have to wear a sling for her arm, as she struggles to move it properly and is on painkillers.

She is unsure how long it will take for her to fully recover from the incident.

Ms Goodmaker added: “I want to make some sort of insurance claim and have to go through Just Eat as I can’t cycle around for a month.

“He was nice enough but I was in such a shock and was out of it.

“I went back to the place where it happened and I think I may have found the car.

“I really thought my arm was broken but you can’t argue with an x-ray.

“I can’t pick things up and I can’t turn or move it properly.”

“Thank god a car wasn’t coming, I got thrown to the other side, I would have been screwed if there was oncoming traffic.”

Ms Goodmaker believes the car was a “burnt orange” colour, with the driver having a shaven head and looked roughly 40-years-old.

Anyone with information should contact Essex Police on 101.