A CALLOUS driver who ploughed into a pensioner told him he would get help - but then got back in his car and drove off. Edward Boardman, 83, was left lying in agony after he was hit by the car in Halliwell yesterday afternoon. Mr Boardman had both his legs broken, suffered head injuries and a suspected broken arm in the incident. He was kept in the Royal Bolton Hospital overnight and was in a "poorly" condition this lunchtime.

A police spokesman said today: "This motorist is understood to have spoken to Mr Boardman as he lay there and assured him he would get help, but then he drove off from the scene."

Neighbours at the old people's flats in Blake Gardens were stunned. One said: "If he said he'd help and then drove off that's terrible. I can't believe someone would do that."

Mr Boardman, of Blake Gardens, Halliwell, was crossing the road at the junction of Eskrick Street and Darley Street near his home when the accident happened.

He is believed to have been making a regular trip to visit friends on allotments off Avenue Street.

Customers rushed out of the nearby City Hotel to comfort him while a passer-by called an ambulance.

The car, which was a white or grey saloon, was turning right into Darley Street at about 3.35pm.

After the driver - a white man aged between 18-25 - got out and spoke to Mr Boardman he went back to his car and drove off towards Shepherd Cross Street and Chorley Old Road.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 872 5050.

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