The mother of a Perth teenager who was knocked down in a shocking hit and run incident has pleaded with the driver involved to hand himself in to police.
Debbie Stuart, 46, described how her daughter, Libby, 14, had been trying to cross the busy Crieff Road, near the entrance to McDiarmid Park, around 11.50am on Monday when a car hit her, leaving the teenager lying in the middle of the road.
Mrs Stuart said Libby only managed to get to the pavement due to “adrenaline” and was then taken to A&E department of Perth Royal Infirmary (PRI) where she was treated for a whiplash injury and bruises.
Police have launched a manhunt for the driver. He initially stopped to look back at where the accident had happened but then callously drove off without checking to see if Libby was injured.
That heartlessness has left Mrs Stuart speechless and angry.
“Libby had been trying to cross the Crieff Road and the traffic was at a standstill,” she said.
“She had gone in between vehicles when this car hit her and she was left lying in the middle of the road. Her adrenaline enabled her to get to the pavement.”
Mrs Stuart said she received the shocking news while at work and then left to pick her daughter up and take her to the PRI, where X-rays were taken.
“The medical staff found Libby had suffered a whiplash injury and some bruising,” she added.
“Obviously we are fully aware this was an accident but Libby said a car initially pulled up at a bus stop near the incident and (the driver) looked back, but then drove off. The driver should have stayed to see how she was as Libby was badly shaken and could have had internal bleeding.”
Libby’s brother Dayle Robertson also posted an appeal for the motorist to come forward.
He posted on Twitter: “My little sister was knocked over by a car on Monday around 11.45am right outside McDiarmid Park on the Crieff road. The driver stopped and then carried on driving.
“If anyone has seen anything or any information can you please let me or Police Scotland know. Thanks.”
A police spokesperson said: “Fortunately the teenager was not seriously injured. The driver of the car was seen to pull into a layby about 50 yards away, get out of the car and look back, then drove off.
“He did not check on the welfare of the girl, and has not reported the incident to police.
“Traffic was particularly heavy at the time, and this incident would have been seen by a number of motorists and pedestrians. The injured girl was trying to cross the road, so it may not have been initially apparent as to what had happened to those passing by.”
The driver is described as being white, male, about 45, 6ft tall, and of average build with greying hair. The car is described as small and either grey or silver.
Anyone with information on the incident should phone police on 101.
