OFFICERS investigating a hit-and-run collision in Lechlade have released an image of a seriously injured motorcyclist, hoping this will prompt witnesses and the driver responsible to come forward.

Gerald Stockwell, 66 and from Swindon, was riding his new Triumph Bonneville motorcycle along the A361, Burford Road in Lechlade at around 11.30am on Sunday (June 19) when a car moved onto the wrong side of the road and collided with him before driving off at speed.

Police have released 'disturbing' photo of Mr Stockwell at Bristol Royal Infirmary, where he remains in a stable condition being treated for a collapsed lung and multiple fractures, to encourage the driver to come forward.

On Sunday, as Mr Stockwell approached the junction with Hambridge Lane, there were several stationary vehicles queuing into Lechlade, with him heading in the opposite direction.

A vehicle, described as a small light blue hatchback with a metallic finish, possibly a Renault Clio, overtook the queuing traffic, moving onto the wrong side of the road towards Mr Stockwell and collided with him, before driving off from the scene at speed along Hambridge Lane.

The car is also said to have had a loud performance type exhaust, while the driver was a man, described as white, in his early to mid-20s, clean shaven and wearing a grey woollen type hat pulled down over his face.

PC Tim Griffiths, the investigating officer, said: “I am hoping that the release of this photo of Mr Stockwell, which I understand some people may find disturbing, will lead to the driver of the blue car contacting me about what happened on Sunday. 

“I would also ask anyone who may have carried out or been asked to carry out any bodywork or repairs on a small blue hatchback car to the front on the driver’s side to contact me. I think it’s likely that the driver will be keen to get the car repaired. 

“I am confident that someone will have information that will help me, whether it is a friend or maybe a relative, who might have seen them behaving unusually or who might recognise the description, especially the woolly hat. 

“The response from the local community in Lechlade has been terrific. They are shocked that someone has behaved in this way, leaving another human being helplessly lying in the road. They, like me, suspect that the person responsible probably lives locally or has local knowledge from the route that they took. 

“Mrs Stockwell is extremely upset by what has happened to her husband, she is grateful for the response from the local community and for the support and care that her husband has received in hospital.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to call police on 101 quoting incident 171 of June 19.

You can also contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court.