POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a serious “hit and run” accident which left an elderly man seriously injured.

Durham Police traffic officers are keen to speak to anyone who saw the collision, involving a Peugeot 206 car and a 72-year-old male pedestrian, in Horden, County Durham, late on Saturday night (May 2).

The accident took place after the driver lost control as the Peugeot was travelling in a southerly direction, on Blackhills Road.

It appeared to go out of control while negotiating traffic calming measures, causing it to cross the carriageway, colliding with metal railing.

The vehicle went through the railings, mounting the pavement, struck a shop front and the pedestrian.

Inspector Malcolm Smart said the Peugeot then made off from the scene of the accident and the driver abandoned the vehicle nearby.

“At this time the driver of the Peugeot is not known and has not been traced,” added the inspector later this morning.

The pedestrian, a local man, suffered leg and head injuries as a result of the accident and was transported to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where he is undergoing treatment.

Durham Police’s collision investigation unit has appealed for anyone who saw the accident, at 11.30pm, or has any knowledge of what took place, to contact them on 0191-375 2159.