Appeal for hit and run biker to give himself in

Ross Tighe, 12, was left with a broken elbow and serious cuts and bruises after being knocked down by a biker as he crossed the road with his 10-year-old brother Jack.

Eyewitnesses said the motorcyclist slowed down after the collision at the busy junction of St Annes Road, Watson Road and Marton Drive and looked over his shoulder at Ross before speeding off.

Now Ross’s dad, Chris, is appealing for the biker to come forward and “face the music”.

He said: “Ross says the road was clear when him and Jack started to cross at the Pelican Crossing. They didn’t press the crossing button, but there was no traffic coming towards them. The bike was behind a vehicle which was turning and they didn’t see the rider until he was on top of them.

“Luckily, Jack managed to jump back on the pavement and save himself, but Ross didn’t stand a chance.

“What makes me most angry is that the biker slowed down and looked back at Ross laying in the road. He was totally aware he had hit a boy but didn’t have the courage to stick around and instead rode off.

“Two witnesses, who picked Ross off the road, say the biker was really hammering it as he rode off. It was obvious he wanted to get away from the scene as fast as possible. I’m not anti-bikes – I used to work as a motorbike messenger in London – but this sort of thing does motorcyclists no favours at all.

“He should have the guts to give himself in and face the music.”

Ross and Jack had been playing at nearby Watson Road Park before the accident on July 19, at 7.30pm.

Ross must now sit out the first fortnight of the school summer holidays at his home in Powell Avenue, South Shore.

“He was left very shaken up and in pain, but is getting back to his old self and can go swimming again, which he does every day,” said Mr Tight.

The motorcyclist was described by witnesses as wearing a black leather jacket and black helmet. He is thought to have continued along St Annes Road towards the airport.

PC Gail Walters urged anyone with information can contact police on 101.