Cyclist injured in hit and run 'road rage' incident in Poole

Police are investigating the incident after footage shows a car mounting the pavement and striking cyclist Don Codman, who had to seek hospital treatment for his injuries.

Mr Codman said he was commuting through traffic, just after 5pm, when he noticed a driver on his phone.

"The cars were crawling along up to the lights. I was going normal pace, and the car went ahead [as the traffic moved]," he said. "I went past again [when the traffic stopped], and the driver was still on their phone."

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Having been hit by drivers who have not seen him in the past, he tapped on the window of the car and said politely that the driver should not be on their phone.

"I debated whether to say anything, but I stopped and tapped on the window. I was just carrying on normally, I was not aggressive at all," he said.

"I just had to say something. If you see something that could hurt you or someone else you have to say something."

Mr Codman then continued along Herbert Avenue and approaching the junction with Northmere Road he heard shouting at him from behind.

He turned into Northmere Road, and continued to hear shouting, revving of an engine and beeping of a horn. Mr Codman moved onto the pavement, where he believed he would be safer.

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"I wasn't being aggressive but the driver flew off the handle, he was clearly using his car as a weapon," he said.

The car drove past him and stopped, but he continued riding along the pavement, in order to avoid a confrontation. The car started again and as Mr Codman turned into Sancreed Road, the car mounted the pavement and struck the cyclist.

Footage from a house’s Ring doorbell captured the moment the cyclist was hit, and the driver leaving the scene without stopping. A passer-by witnessed the incident and called the police.

Mr Codman was wearing high visibility clothing and had lights on his bike, so he was clearly visible to other road users.

He has sustained injuries to his knees, elbows and shoulder, for which he attended A&E, on the advice of NHS 111.

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Mr Codman said he will continue commuting by bike, despite this incident.

"I've got to carry it on," he said. "I don't have a car and it's the most efficient way.

"Everyone knows there are idiots about, so who knows what will happen. For him to react as he did was just totally wrong."

A spokesperson for Dorset police said: "We received a report at around 5.20pm on Tuesday 22 November 2022 of a collision involving a dark blue hatchback car and a cyclist in the area of Sancreed Road in Poole.

"It was reported that the car failed to stop at the scene of the collision.

"The cyclist sustained injuries that were not believed to be serious.

"Enquiries into the incident are ongoing. No arrests have been made at this time."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220189695.