POLICE have stepped up the hunt for a driver who left a 70-year-old cyclist from Salisbury for dead in a hit-and-run yesterday. 

Officers are looking for a white Ford Transit flatbed vehicle which failed to stop after the crash in Fordingbridge.

The incident happened at 9.20am on the northbound carriageway of the A338 Salisbury Road.

The cyclist suffered serious head injuries and is fighting for his life at Southampton General Hospital.

Officers were out on the A338 this morning and stopped more than 300 vehicles travelling in both directions to hand motorists appeal leaflets containing information about the vehicle we are looking for.

Inspector Andrew Storey said: “We are appealing for the help of members of the public to find the vehicle that was involved in the collision.

"The vehicle left the scene without stopping and we need to find it.

"Since the incident we have been following several lines of enquiry to find this vehicle but so far we have been unable to locate it.

“So we are appealing to members of the public for their help.

“This was a serious collision which has left a man in a life-threatening condition in hospital.

“We want people to look out for a flatbed transit style vehicle. The vehicle is likely to date from 2000 to 2006. 

“Initial information gathered at the scene indicated it was a darker vehicle but as the investigation has moved on and we have gathered more intelligence, we now believe that the vehicle was white.

“The vehicle is a single cab, has a double axle, has extra ‘mesh’ on both sides of the rear and it is likely to have damage to the rear of the nearside wing mirror.

“We believe that the vehicle is local and we are asking the public to be vigilant especially when in car parks and remote areas, where a vehicle like this may have been abandoned.

“We would also like to hear from any motorists who were in the area that day who have any dash cam footage as this could hold vital information for this investigation.

"If you think you saw the vehicle that day or if you witnessed the collision, please call us."

Anyone with any information call police on 101, quoting Operation Addition, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.