No one helped as I lay in pain

A BIKER today told how dozens of motorists ignored her after she was left in agony when a hit-and-run driver "rammed" into her, knocking her off her machine.

Grandmother Coleen Lucas, from Uphall Station, near Livingston, described how the young female driver drove into the back of her bike but "didn't even get out of her car" to help.

The incident, at the junction of Queensferry Road and Orchard Brae, has left Mrs Lucas too scared to get back on her scooter.

Mrs Lucas said she felt lucky the accident hadn't been more serious, although she still has leg and hip pain.

The 54-year-old said nobody stopped to help her, despite dozens of cars and buses passing her while she was lying on the road.

She said: "I was just waiting at the lights, ready to turn down Orchard Brae, when the car rammed into the back of me.

"I went flying across the road and was in a total daze. The young woman and her passengers stopped, but she didn't even get out of the car. She sort of mumbled a sorry, but by the time I had turned round she was gone. She just left me rolling in the road in pain.

"I must have been on the road for about two minutes, then I moved to the side where I was shaking and crying. I think only the adrenaline kept me going.

"At no point did anyone stop to see if I was OK, or to help me move my damaged bike, which is almost the most upsetting thing about it all.

"What is wrong with society? Upwards of 20 people drove past me."

"I've had to leave my bike at work because I'm too scared to ride it right now."

She added: "I've never experienced anything like this before. I'm a safe driver and I can't work out why this girl rammed into the back of me. Not stopping to help is really quite horrific.

"I'm appealing for anyone who might have seen what happened to come forward.

"Damage to the back and lights on my bike is going to cost me around 500."

Mrs Lucas, who is mother to Suzanne, Andrew and Kirsty, and a grandmother to 20-month-old Grace, visited the doctor to check her injuries.

She is suffering from swelling and bruises, but no long-term damage.

She said: "You have to wonder what this woman would have done if my injuries had been worse.

"I haven't rode my bike for days because I've been left shaken, but I hope to be back on it soon."

Police confirmed they were investigating the incident. A spokesman said: "Police are investigating an alleged hit-and-run incident that happened in Queensferry Road around 12.40pm on Thursday.

"The incident involved a blue Ford Fiesta that struck a scooter while travelling westwards, close to Orchard Brae. The rider suffered minor injuries to her leg as a result of the collision, and anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131-311 3131."