Soldier biker sent flying in hit-and-run

POLICE are appealing for a driver to come forward after a motorcyclist was “left for dead” in a hit-and-run.

Soldier Patrick Casey, 24, was overtaking two cars at 60mph when the first one also moved out to overtake and collided with him, sending him somersaulting through the air.

The Air Trooper escaped with minor injuries including whiplash and grazes after he was sent tumbling into a verge in Howden, East Yorkshire, while on his way to a charity ride.

Mr Casey, who has just returned from a tour of Kenya with the Army Air Corps, was being followed by his father Shaun, 47, who caught the accident on film and was able to stop and phone an ambulance.

Patrick said: "It's disgusting that the driver wouldn't even stop to check on me. For all they know, I could be dead right now.

"I had been following the car for a few minutes and I was patient before I moved to overtake him. I indicated and then he's moved a couple of seconds later and not seen me.

"I'm lucky to have escaped with just the injuries I have. I've got a grazed elbow, whiplash, a dead left leg which is still very swollen, and bruises along with my hip and everything between.

"If it wasn't for my dad being right behind and the help of the other road users, then I would have been left for dead.

"I could hear the car accelerate off as soon as it happened. It's not as if they could have missed me in their mirrors."

The father and son were on their way to join the charity Ride Of Honour in Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire, when the crash happened shortly before 9.40am on July 17.

Patrick said his rare Suzuki B-King Rizla edition was likely to be an insurance write-off.

He said: “I've had that bike for two years and it's my absolute pride and joy. It cost me £6,000 but I've spent thousands more doing it up.”

Humberside Police said they were looking for the driver of the car involved, a silver-coloured Volkswagen Passat.

A spokeswoman said: "A motorcyclist has reported being knocked from his bike as it passed a car close to the Ferry Boat Inn on Boothferry Road in Howden on Sunday 17 July.

"The incident was reported at 9:40am on Sunday 17 July shortly after it took place.

"The 24-year-old motorcyclist sustained minor injuries and damage was caused to the motorcycle.

"The car involved in the collision with the motorcycle was said to be a silver coloured Volkswagen Passat which did not stop at the scene.

"Police are now keen to speak to the driver of the car and ask that they call 101 along with anyone who may have witnessed the collision or have any information in connection with it."