11:13am Friday 29th August 2008
By Arron Hendy
A FATHER told today of his shock after a motorist drove away despite injuring his nine-year-old daughter on a pedestrian crossing.
Police said the elderly man may have 'panicked' or 'been shocked or confused' after the collision in which Melissa Long suffered an ankle injury.
Richard Long, of Cromwell Road, Dorchester, said he was crossing the road with Melissa when a car hit her doll's pushchair - which then struck her.
Mr Long, 35, said: "The car ripped the pram out of her hand and into her legs but the driver drove on.
"I'm just happy it was the doll and not my daughter in the pram.
"She started jumping up and down and saying it hurt her foot so that was bad enough.
"Then I thought the driver was going to stop but he carried on.
"There was a lot of cars there so more drivers must have seen it."
Dorset Police are appealing for witnesses who saw the collision when Mr Long and Melissa crossed Great Western Road, Dorchester, close to the Junction Hotel.
PC Sara Mackay of the Dorchester traffic unit said the pedestrian crossing lights may have been at red for traffic when the collision occurred.
She said: "I'm told that the car, which failed to stop after the collision and drove off towards Damers Road, was a small silver coloured hatchback, possibly a Citroen C3 or a Peugeot 206."
"I'm appealing for the driver to come forward as I can't rule out the possibility that he may have been shocked or confused and maybe also panicked."
She added that witnesses describe the driver as an elderly man aged possibly 75 to 80 with a bald head, clean shaven and wearing glasses.
Police said the area was busy at the time - just before 10am on Tuesday. If you can help call 01305 222222.
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