A TEENAGER who was left for dead after a hit-and-run is appealing for the driver to come forward.
Hannah Kemp, 18, of Lister Avenue, Braintree, was walking along Skitts Hill to a friend's house at 8.30pm on Sunday after spending some time with her grandfather when she went to cross the road.
"I was walking down the road and I was looking at my phone and then the car just came whizzing around the corner and hit my bag – it sent me flying," she said.
As Hannah fell to the ground she smacked her head on the concrete and was knocked unconscious and left lying half in the road and half on the pavement.
The next thing she remembers is waking up on the pavement surrounded by people.
"I woke up with a load of people around me. I was stone cold and I couldn't feel my feet or my legs at first. I was petrified," she said.
Hannah's mum Louise was called by a teenager who works with her, who recognised the bright orange hoodie Hannah was wearing.
"When he called me I felt sick. Absolutely sick," said Louise.
"I ran down to find her and there was a lady called Tracy who was holding her hand and didn't leave her side."
As well as Tracy and the two male teenagers who found Hannah, a handful of other passers-by and neighbours also turned out to help.
Kerry Hillard's husband John was one of the first on the scene.
Kerry, 40, said: "We just heard the commotion outside and could hear her shouting and screaming. We looked out to see what was happening and somebody said they needed blankets.
"My other half shot out there with a blanket and he kept trying to talk to her while the ambulance was there. There were loads of other people out there too.
"Some were stopping traffic at both ends of the road but as you always get, some cars still decided to push their way through."
After being stabilised by paramedics, Hannah was taken to Broomfield Hospital, where she was checked over, and diagnosed with whiplash, cuts and bruises.
But due to her suffering from a condition that makes her immune system incapable of fighting illness, the trauma of the incident has also left Hannah run down and needing antibiotics.
Louise, 38, said: "Just in hindsight to think what it could have been – if she had stepped into the road further.
"I always like to see the best in people and I said to the paramedic, 'maybe he didn't know what he did.' But the paramedic turned round and said, 'oh, he knew.' I just can't understand it.
"I'm more than thankful to all of the people who helped her. I just hope this puts off all the lads driving around here who use this area as a racing circuit."
As for Hannah, who has missed out on a work placement at a charity shop because of the incident, she hopes the driver hands themselves in.
"It's horrible that they just left me lying there," she said. "For all they knew I could be dead. Now they are just driving round with a big smile on their face. I hope they come forward."
Investigating officer PC Alex Southgate said: "The driver must have seen what happened but failed to stop and continued travelling up Skitts Hill towards Notley Road.
"Although the injuries turned out to be minor, this would easily have been much more serious, or could have had fatal consequences, if the woman had been dragged along by the car."
Any witnesses or anyone with information about the car or driver should contact PC Southgate at Stanway on 101 or e-mail alex.southgate@essex.pnn.police.uk
