POLICE want to trace a motorist whose car knocked a Carlisle schoolboy off his bike in a ‘near-miss’ accident next to a major road.

Thirteen-year-old Kian Winder escaped with minor cuts and bruises but his father Gavin, 37, says the teenager was lucky not to have been more seriously hurt when his bike was crushed beneath the car’s wheels.

The driver failed to stop.

The accident happened at a junction which opens on to the dual carriageway on Bridge Street, a short distance from Castle Way.

Kian was cycling home with two pals to Morton between 7.30pm and 8pm last Thursday when the group arrived at the junction with Bridge Street, between the Lux Salon Lounge Bar and a McKnight & Son Builders property.

“Our son was cycling from the Carlisle Castle direction when the car came out towards [Bridge Street], from the exit beside what used to be The Globe pub,” said Gavin. “We don’t know whether Kian didn’t stop in time but the car went over his bike, slightly rolled back, and then drove off over his bike.

“Our son pulled back just in time,” continued Gavin. “The car went right over the front of the bike, pulling it under. Kian just managed to pull himself back.

“The car didn’t slow down or stop, even though it went completely over the bike. Our son had bruising on his knees from when the bike went from underneath him. He was very shaken up.

“Kian's been very lucky, I reckon. The biggest shock was the car not stopping and nobody getting out to check he was okay.”

Mr Winder, whose son’s green Diamondback mountain bike was badly crushed, added: “It’s not the bike that matters; it’s the fact that the driver didn’t stop that’s really annoyed me.”

The car involved was dark grey. Police have examined CCTV images from the nearby Millennium Bridge CCTV camera but unfortunately they do not clearly show the car’s number plate.

Cumbria Police confirmed that officers are investigating the accident and appealed for witnesses - including the driver involved - to get in touch if they can help. Call 101 if you can help in any way.