A DAD who spent more than a week in hospital after being knocked off his bike on an early-morning cycle has urged the person responsible to hand themselves in.
David McManus spent eight days in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with a list of horrendous injuries, including a punctured lung, 19 fractures, a broken collarbone, broken shoulderblade, broken thumb and dislocated thumb.
The former firefighter has been left in “the most horrendous pain” following the incident, which took place between Haddington and Morham on June 8.
David, who works as a school crossing guide on Haddington’s Station Road, told the Courier that he would go out for an early-morning cycle each day.
He said: “The only things around are deer, buzzards and hares – that is why I like to go out early.
“I was about three-and-a-half miles from my house and was aware a vehicle was coming behind me.
“That’s the last thing I remember until I woke up looking at the blue sky in the most horrendous pain.
“I could not think where I was or what was happening.”
A nearby farmer raised the alarm and emergency services were called out to the incident, which is thought to have taken place at about 6.45am.
David, who lives in Haddington with wife Zoe, said: “I was taken up to the Royal with blue lights and sirens on, and I spent eight days in the major trauma ward.
“I suffered a punctured lung, 19 fractures, a broken collarbone, broken shoulderblade, broken thumb, dislocated thumb and numerous road burns to my knees, arms, hands and face.
“They told me if I was not wearing a helmet, I would not be alive.
“The blow from the vehicle knocked me unconscious and whoever was driving did not stop.”
Speaking to the Courier, David, who has also suffered severe bruising to his pelvis, was preparing for a trip back to the hospital as he continued his long road to recovery.
He said: “I am still in the most horrendous pain, even with the painkillers that they have given me.
“I am not sleeping because of the pain.
“Psychologically, I will be fine.
“I am an ex-firefighter in Haddington and did 26 years at Haddington.
“I have seen everything there is to see and I am not easily phased, but physically I am still in lots and lots of pain.
“Obviously, my wife was shocked and, once she managed to contact my sons, who live quite nearby in Haddington, Blindwells and Ormiston, they were all pretty shocked that I was left on the road."
Police attended alongside the Scottish Ambulance Service.
Enquiries were carried out at neighbouring farms and properties in a bid to check Ring doorbells and CCTV footage.
However, so far police have been unable to find the person responsible.
David added: “I just want them to hand themselves in and take the consequences of their actions.
“Basically, that is really all I can say.
“I’m not a bitter man and, if they hand themselves in, that would be the only thing I am looking for.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed that investigations were ongoing.
They said: "Around 7am on Monday, June 8, we were made aware of a collision involving a cyclist and a vehicle near West Bearford, Haddington.
"Emergency services attended and the cyclist was taken to hospital for treatment.
"The vehicle failed to stop and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances."
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