Bike rider stable after hit and run

A cyclist was seriously injured after he was hit by a car in Nelson.

Police are investigating the incident, which they said could be a ‘‘hit and run’’.

A police spokeswoman said the incident happened at 6:28am yesterday in Washington Valley.

The driver of the car left the scene after the incident but later turned himself in to police.

The man was yesterday in a stable condition at Nelson Hospital.

St Johns Ambulance duty shift manager Mike Casey said the 45-year-old cyclist was travelling to work on his bike.

The accident happened on the corner of Washington Rd and Russell St.

Casey said the man was lying in the middle of the road after the crash.

He was taken to Nelson Hospital in a serious condition.

The man was conscious for a while after the crash, and handed his cellphone over to a bystander.

Casey said the man ‘‘complained of back, spinal and shoulder pain’’.

Nelson Police said the Serious Crash Unit was investigating.

Washington Valley Store owner Laura Jacobs said they had only been made aware of the incident by the police and from neighbours.

‘‘It doesn’t look too good - we know of three people who are regulars, so it’s a bit close to home.’’