Ron Stuart, of Minsterley was knocked from his bike in a hit and run incident.

A Shropshire cyclist today described how he was left lying in a verge at the side of the road after being knocked off his bike by a hit and run driver.

Retired civil engineering designer Ron Stuart, from Minsterley, near Shrewsbury, said he was cycling along the A470 in Powys when a car hit him from behind, sending him “somersaulting” over the handlebars.

He said his bike, which he had taken out for only the second time, was damaged beyond repair in the smash while he was left with bruises and scrapes.

The incident happened on Sunday at about 12.40pm and police have now launched an investigation into it.

Mr Stuart, 59, was taken to hospital by ambulance to be checked over.

He said: “I was about a mile and a half outside Carno travelling north west.

“Basically I got ploughed into from behind by a car that failed to stop. It was a hit and run.

“I was on my own so considering how bad it could have been I got off lightly with cuts and bruises.

“The bike is smashed and my cycle helmet was dented.

Mr Stuart said he was grateful that other drivers, who saw what happened to him, stopped and called the emergency services to the scene.

He added: “They would have known they hit me, there were bits off the car lying in the road and the bike made a sound like a gun going off.

“I was shocked and can’t stop thinking about it.

“You do hear about people hitting people and driving off. Some car drivers seem to not think about the safety of others.

“Luckily the car had cars behind it and those drivers did stop to help.

“My head was swimming but I called my wife so that she wouldn’t have to hear from someone else that I’d been in a car accident. I wanted to make her realise I was OK.”

Dyfed-Powys Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision.

Police spokeswoman Sharon Reynolds said: “We are investigating a hit and run involving a cyclist and a car.

“We would appeal for anyone with information to call us on 0845 330 2000.”