An Exeter cyclist fears he may never ride again after being knocked-off his bike in an apparent hit-and-run incident.
Ben Hooper, 22, was enjoying an early-morning round-trip to Silverton when he was struck by a car outside Killerton House at Broadclyst– throwing him into over the handlebars.
The healthcare assistant, who lives in Heavitree, "bounced" off a hedge and landed in the road between 6.30am and 7.30am on July 23.
Mr Hooper said: "It's one of my favourite routes: quiet, out in the sticks, with the birds singing. The car and I were both travelling at speed. I could hear it behind me, and there was plenty of room to go past. But as it overtook me, the driver clipped me with its wing mirror and I came off."
He was left unconscious and alone in the country lane after the diver apparently left the scene of the accident.
"It was a pretty cowardly thing to do. They would definitely have known they had hit me. Maybe he or she was uninsured or drunk from the night before. Or maybe they just panicked."
Mr Hooper was found by a passer-by and taken by ambulance to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital with a neck injury and concussion.
"I remember a lady knelling next to me and putting a hand on my chest," he said.
Mr Hooper spent five days in hospital with physical injuries, and is still suffering memory loss as well as mental scarring.
"I'm apprehensive about getting back on the bike, because of the fear of getting hit again. I've been knocked unconscious once before, so it may be wiser to stick to the gym."
Mr Hooper credits his helmet – that was extensively damaged in the crash – with saving his life.
"My advice to any cyclist would be to wear a helmet, no matter how big or small the journey," he added.
He put details of crash and pictures of its effects on Facebook – generating more than 9,000 shares across the UK and Europe. It helped him to trace and thank the woman who went to his aid.
Mr Hooper said: "The response has been overwhelming. I've had so many messages of support. My family are very upset about what happened, but they've been great to me. And I'm delighted to have found the woman who helped me."
The car is described as navy blue, hatchback style, possibly a Fiat, with an 06 plate and the registration starting with a W.
Mr Hooper added: "I've always said there was a car with my name on its bumper, and one day it would get me."
If you have any information, call Devon and Cornwall Police on 101 and ask to speak with PC Alex Powe.
