Man loses leg in hit and run

The 70 year old was crossing the A1 carriageway at the Halfway House at around 8pm on Good Friday (April 18) when he was struck by a motorcyclist, who failed to stop.

Members of the public attempted to halt the traffic on the carriageway so that the pensioner wouldn’t be hit again and an ambulance was called.

“A man stopped and tied a belt around his leg to try to stop the bleeding,” explained the man’s daughter.

“A St John’s Ambulance also stopped to help and two women helped to stop the traffic, “ added the woman, who said the response from witnesses at the scene and the help offered to her father showed the decency of people in the community.

“My father was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital and unfortunately on the Saturday he lost his leg above the knee.

“We are hoping to get him home to recover before going to Musgrave for rehabilitation and to be fitted for a prosthetic leg.

“We are very lucky that he is fit and healthy, he walks the dog six or eight miles every day, otherwise he could have been killed.”

She is appealing for anyone who witnessed the accident or who may know who the motorcyclist is, to contact the police in Banbridge.

“Someone has to know something and if it was your dad or family member I’m sure you would want the police to catch them.

“If you know something and don’t come forward then you are as bad as the person who was riding that motorbike,” she added.