Cyclist dragged along Fenton St

Police talking to the cyclist involved in a hit and run on Fenton St. Photo / Stephen Parker

A cyclist who was dragged across a road by a car says he was "screaming and yelling" before the driver stopped.

The cyclist, who did not want to be named, was hit by the car and got his bag strap stuck under the car's boot, causing him to be dragged several metres. When the driver eventually stopped, he allegedly got out of the car, looked at the cyclist and drove off.

The incident happened about 2.10pm yesterday at the intersection of Fenton St and Malfroy Rd.

The cyclist said he was dragged from that intersection to the intersection with Ti and Fenton streets. Police were trying to find the car's driver.

The cyclist said the driver had slowed down at the give way intersection on the corner of Fenton St and Malfroy Rd and he thought he was going to stop.

"I wasn't even going that fast so when I saw him slow down I thought 'sweet, he's seen me' but then he swung out and T-boned me," he said. The cyclist said he "smacked on to his boot" where the strap of his backpack got caught.

"I flew off my bike but because my strap was stuck under the boot I was dragged across the road. It felt like all the skin was being ripped off my hand.

"I thought he would stop but he didn't and I was screaming and yelling before he slowed down. He got out of his car and looked at me then jumped back in and drove off."

The cyclist suffered injuries to his arm but did not seek out medical attention.

"I was lucky I wasn't more seriously injured. It felt a lot worse than what it looks."

A witness who saw the accident unfold said she was shocked when the cyclist got trapped under the car.

"When he was under there and the car wasn't stopping I thought he was really done for.

"He was dragged halfway down the street before the driver even seemed to notice."

A Police Northern Communications spokesman said Rotorua police were called to an incident on Fenton St at 2.10pm.

The spokesman said the car had "taken off" but police spoke to witnesses and would "continue looking into it".

If you have any information, contact Rotorua police on (07) 348 0099 or information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.