A MOTORIST who knocked world cycling champion Macey Stewart off her bike on Thursday stopped to retrieve a broken mirror before driving off.
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Miss Stewart was injured in the hit-run crash on Tarleton Street, East Devonport, about 2pm.
She was heading south outside the Argosy Motel when the vehicle hit her from behind.
The impact threw Miss Stewart to the ground and knocked the motorist's side rear vision mirror off.
"I took the car's mirror off and I was lying on the road," she said.
"I looked up and I had a fairly large truck coming for me head on, so I had to scramble off the road as fast as I could.
"The driver of the vehicle who hit me stopped and got out of his car, picked up the mirror, and then drove away.
"It's pretty shocking to think that someone can do that."
A bruised and battered Stewart was taken to hospital by ambulance. X-rays cleared her of broken bones.
"It (the hit) was pretty hard," she said.
"He would have been going around 60 km/h and I was going around 25-30 km/h."
Despite the crash, the Coastal 18-year-old is off for a training camp in Adelaide at 6am today, minus the bike that she had intended taking with her.
The accident has not deterred Miss Stewart from continuing to ride.
"I'm a bit sore and that sort of thing, but I plan on getting back on the bike tomorrow," she said.
"It is a bit frightening knowing that this type of thing is happening more and more these days.
"I'm not deterred from riding: I love it too much and have big goals to achieve."
"I'm not deterred from riding: I love it too much and have big goals to achieve."
- Macey Stewart
Devonport police officer Senior Sergeant Martin Parker said police believed they had found the vehicle that struck Miss Stewart, but they did not locate the driver.
"The vehicle was unattended when we found it in the East Devonport area," Senior Sergeant Parker said.
The dark-coloured sedan is undergoing forensic examination.
Police called for help in locating the male driver and would like to speak to anyone who might have witnessed the crash or might know his identity.
Police would particularly like to speak to the driver of the north-bound truck that had to stop suddenly to avoid Miss Stewart.
Investigating officer of Western District Road and Public Order Services Constable Dean Wotherspoon can be contacted on 131 444.
Source: The Advocate
