A MAN has spoken of his anger after a driver knocked down his brother and left him for dead. Andrew Ryder, 42, was cycling back from work along Kingsdown Road on 12.20am on Tuesday when the hit and run driver struck.

He was hit from behind and knocked off his bike onto a grass verge between Kings-down Cemetery and the Honda Roundabout.

Fortunately another cyclist found him and called an ambulance after spotting the flickering light on his bike.

Andrew, who works at SDC, in Hunts Rise, woke up in the Great Western Hosp-ital and remembers nothing about what happened.

But he has been left in agonising pain with serious injuries to his back, head and legs.

His brother Mark, 44, who works for the Bookclub Association, and has a partner Caroline and daughter Suzanne, 13, said: "At first we were very upset now we are very angry.

"To leave him there was both callous and cowardly."

Mark found out about what had happened when Andrew's girlfriend Karen phoned his mother Greta, 67, his brother Brian, 40, and sister Karen, 41, who all live in Swindon.

He said: "Andrew was in a lot of pain and couldn't move his legs at all.

"He had a big lump on the back of his head and terrible back pain."

Andrew's mum Greta, 67, said: "I can't bear to think of what would have happened if Andrew hadn't been found."

Mark said Andrew believes the hit and run driver could have come from SDC or the Honda factory.

Steve Liss, SDC spokes-man, said that the company would do everything they could to help the police.

"We were really sorry to hear that Mr Ryder had been knocked down. We will assist the police in any way.

"We have asked our employees if they are aware of anything or have witnessed anything and so far nobody has come forward."

Nobody was available from Honda to comment.

A Swindon police spokeswoman, said: "We would like to reiterate our appeal for witnesses to this hit and run collision to come forward as soon as possible.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Steve Whitehead at Swindon traffic police on 01793 528 111 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A 19 year-old cyclist was taken to the Great Western Hospital yesterday with a suspected broken leg after he collided with a car.

Police are appealing for witnesses.

The accident took place at the junction of Station Road and Cheltenham Street at 12.45pm yesterday.

Emma-Kate Lidbury