THE wife of a cyclist knocked unconscious by a speeding car in a hit-and-run fears that the reckless drivers could kill someone.

Kathy Parkin from Old Town is looking after her 62-year-old husband David while he recovers from the horrific accident which almost cost him his life.

He is still not ready to speak about the incident.

Kathy, 53, said: “These people need to be stopped and brought before the court. They have so little concern for others. They’re still out there and they could kill someone.

“If they are prepared to drive in such a reckless manner, then everybody is in danger. I’m very fortunate that I still have my husband, this could have been far more tragic.

“I don’t want this to happen to anybody else.

“They chose not to stop, they just left him in the middle of the road while racing each other, there’s no excuse for this behaviour.

“He could’ve been run over by another car if someone hadn’t helped him.”

Two kind strangers rushed to his aid after he was hit by the car while riding along the B4553 at Common Platt in Purton around 12.05pm on Wednesday.

After moving him to a layby to get out of harm’s way, one man administered first aid while another called 999 and Kathy.

Kathy added: “When I heard a stranger’s voice telling me David had been in an accident, my heart sank.

“I rushed to my car then got a call from my daughter - my husband had tried to ring me but called her by mistake. She was very distressed because he wasn’t coherent at all. When I got there, the police and ambulance were arriving.

“David was shaking, he had a cut on his head and didn’t seem aware of what was going on, he kept saying ‘I don’t remember what happened’.

“He had four X-rays and a CT scan at the hospital - his hips had taken the brunt of it, he’d suffered a concussion when his head hit the ground, and he also had cuts on his shoulder and elbow.

“He bought a new helmet two weeks ago, which was designed to reduce the risk of concussions. It’s badly cracked - without that helmet, he wouldn’t be here.”

Witnesses reported seeing a black vehicle following a heavily-modified silver three-door Vauxhall Corsa with tinted windows and souped-up wheels, accelerating away from the scene at speed, in the direction of Cricklade.

A smashed wing mirror was found at the scene. Wiltshire Police are investigating and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Kathy added: “We’re really pleased with how seriously the police are taking this and I’m so thankful for their care, and for the gentlemen who helped my husband.

“The fact that there are good, caring people out there is something I can hold onto.

“This has been very hard to deal with, everything is topsy-turvy, I’m just trying to cope with it all and care for my husband until he’s got his strength back.”

Call PC McVey on 101, quoting crime reference number 54180095883,or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.