A HIT and run driver crashed into a cyclist and hurled him into the air, a court was told.

Witnesses estimated the car was travelling at 50mph in a 30mph zone and showed no signs of braking before hitting the cyclist.

Andrew Stuchbury was found in a pool of blood next to his smashed cycle.

His injuries were so severe that he died within 24 hours.

Despite the impact, driver Damien Holt, aged 23, did not stop and abandoned his damaged car when he could not drive it any further.

A motorist who witnessed the accident followed Holt, saw him stop to let a passenger out, then drive away before abandoning the car.

The next day, Holt handed himself in to police and told them that he had left the scene because he had panicked.

Holt, of Ormston Avenue, Horwich, appeared at Bolton Crown Court and denied causing death by dangerous driving.

Mark Lamberty, prosecuting, said Holt was driving his car along Chorley New Road, Horwich towards Bolton on October 25.

In the car with him were his brother Ian and a passenger Thomas Winwood.

Holt was taking his brother to hospital for treatment for cuts he had suffered after falling on glass.

As he came over the humpback bridge, he hit Mr Stuchbury, aged 33, who was in the middle of the road waiting to turn into Hartley Street, where he lived. The accident was seen by three people leaving the old Horwich Loco works and another driver.

Other witnesses included five joggers and an off-duty policeman.

Mr Stuchbury, a father-of-one, was hit from behind, pushing him into the windscreen and hurling him into the air and on to the road. Debris littered the road.

Holt abandoned the vehicle near the Beehive roundabout, leaving his brother in the car.

Holt told police he thought the cyclist had come across the road and he had braked when he saw him and clipped him with the wing.

He said he panicked and left the scene.

Proceeding