WITNESSES have told of their shock after a cyclist was left seriously injured when he was hit by a car being followed by police.

The suspected hit-and-run incident happened in Bishop Auckland on Tuesday and was described as "horrendous" by one nearby resident, who said the car continued on after striking the victim.

Officers were following the Vauxhall Astra along Walker Drive, in Bishop Auckland, at about 10.30am when the collision happened.

Police cordoned off part of the road on the Woodhouse Close Estate for about four hours so road collision investigators could carry out a detailed examination of the scene.

The 26-year-old cyclist, a man from Bishop Auckland, was taken to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, by ambulance.

His injuries, believed to include a broken pelvis, foot and head injuries, are serious, but not life-threatening, and he remains in hospital for treatment.

The police officer driving the car following the Vauxhall Astra was uninjured.

With the help of the police helicopter, officers are believed to have stopped a car in nearby St Helen Auckland a short time later.

The Northern Echo:

Residents living close to the scene were shocked to discover what had happened.

One witness said: “It is horrendous. We can’t believe what has happened.

"The guy looked in a bad way. There are often loads of kids about. I am just so glad they are at school. Imagine if it had been a child?"

Another witness, who asked not to be named, said: “The car was going really fast and it just didn’t stop. How can anyone do this to someone?”

A resident living in Walker Drive, added: “The bike is a mess. I am really worried about the bloke. I hope he is alright.”

Facebook was flooded with messages of support for the victim.

Shireene Wanless wrote: “How can people live with themselves knowing they have knocked someone over and fled?”

While Elaine Hazell added: “Sending healing love and light to the young lad hope he is OK, bless him.”

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has been made aware of the incident by Durham Police, but it is not known at this stage whether an investigation will need to be carried out.

A 37-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident and was last night in police custody in Durham.

A spokeswoman for Durham Police said: “It is believed the Vauxhall Astra was dark in colour and had travelled from the Crook area to Bishop Auckland.

“We would appeal to anyone who thinks they spotted the Astra prior to the collision to contact the collision investigation unit direct on 0191-3752159.”