A SCOOTER rider is appealing for witnesses to come forward after he was forced off his bike by a driver.

John Fletcher, 46, said he was riding his scooter around the Maldon Road roundabout when a car forced him off before driving off.

The married father-of-two was left dazed and injured while others screeched to stop after the incident just before 7am on Tuesday.

Mr Fletcher, of Maldon Road, Colchester, said: “I came out of Maldon Road and was travelling past the Lexden Road exit to go up Balkerne Hill.

“I saw her and she sawme.

“As I was passing Lexden Road, she came out anyway trying to make it first.

“I slammed the brakes on and skidded off my bike missing her by centimetres.

“Cars were screeching all around, except her – she swerved and drove off. I saw my life pass in front of me and she just drove off.”

A cyclist stopped to check he was OK and police told him to call an ambulance.

Mr Fletcher, an IT consultant working in London, visited the walkin centre in Colchester after suffering cuts, grazes and bruises.

He is relieved it was not worse and is asking anyone who saw the incident to get in touch.

He added: “I am still in shock. I have had to take time off because of the injuries.

“The scooter is being repaired. I have had it for five years and it is only a 50CC one to get to the station.

“All I could see was headlights as I was lying on the floor.

“She just decided she couldn’t wait and drove at me.”

Essex Police is investigating the incident with officers waiting to speak to the victim to get more details and see what CCTV may be available.

Any witnesses can call Colchester police on 101 and quote incident number 126 from December 2.