Lucky to be standing after hit and run in city

‘‘In that moment everything feels fast and slow.’’

Tess Smith is lucky to be standing after an apparent hit-and-run last week. Turning on Hamilton’s Victoria St, she was knocked off her bicycle by a motor scooter.

The driver swore at her and took off as she lost consciousness.

The former personal trainer wasn’t wearing a helmet as she ran a quick errand in town.

Looking to make a quick U-turn on her new bike, she checked that traffic was clear ahead and behind on Victoria St. The moped was nowhere to be seen, she said.

‘‘He must have shot out... he must have come around the corner and put his foot on the gas.’’

Smith remembers grabbing the driver for stability as he collided with her from behind. Both of them fell onto the tarmac.

‘‘In that moment everything feels fast and slow, it’s hard to explain.’’

The driver swore at her, picked up his scooter and took off. ‘‘He was freaking out… you could see it in his eyes.’’

Emergency services attended the scene and St John staff transported Smith to Waikato Hospital.

Plastic from the scooter’s lights could be seen on the road, and a pair of white wraparound sunglasses were located at the scene.

Smith was concussed, bruised, and cut, but cleared of any broken bones. She returned to the gym to find her bike had a buckled front wheel. Police are yet to locate the driver of the dark grey scooter.