A 19-year-old cyclist who was ‘left for dead’ after a hit and run in Ottery will be in a wheelchair for six months and has had his career hopes dashed.

Josh Pettet is still in hospital a fortnight after the collision outside The King’s School, suffering serious fractures which required metals pins to be inserted into his pelvis.

The car involved did not stop after the teenager was knocked off his bike on Thursday, September 13, and his mother Rachel has pleaded for the driver to come forward.

“I just can’t believe that somebody has done this, and absolutely changed the course of his life, when he was in such a good place and optimistic for the future, and then the person can just drive off like it never happened,” she said.

Josh was cycling back to work at the Thirsty Farmer in Whimple, part of his apprenticeship in catering at Exeter College, which has now been put on hold indefinitely.

“It’s going to be at least six weeks before he can even think about getting up without crutches,” she said.

The incident happened round 5.40pm after he visited his mum, who teaches English as a foreign language in Sidmouth, in-between split shifts at the pub.

Ms Pettet spent the night with him in intensive care in Exeter, and has since driven more than 1,000 miles to Derriford and back, where the 19-year-old was transferred so specialist surgeons could operate on his pelvis.

Rachel is angry the driver involved has still not come forward, and urged anybody with information to get in touch with police.

“There was a queue of traffic coming back from work into the town who must’ve seen something,” she added.

Sergeant Nick Bloomfield from the Serious Collisions Unit said officers are anxious to speak to the owner of a silver car, a Renault or possibly a Vauxhall, which was believed to have been involved in the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101, extension 22308.