POLICE have made a direct appeal to the hit-and-run driver who left an off-duty Mansfield police officer with serious injuries to come forward.

Mansfield South beat officer PC Diederik Coetzee remains in a ‘critical but stable condition’ in hospital following the collision in Blidworth Lane at about 6pm on Friday (25th November).

The 54-year-old was cycling towards Blidworth when a vehicle struck him from behind. The motorist failed to stop following the crash.

Det Sgt Ged Hazelwood, from the force’s crash investigation team, said: “PC Coetzee is a well-known member of the Mansfield beat team and well-liked by both the community he serves and his colleagues.

“I would like to personally appeal to the motorist involved to get in touch.

“Perhaps you didn’t realise the consequences of your actions at the time. Owning up to what happened will benefit you hugely in terms of any possible consequences of your involvement.

“The sooner you come forward, the sooner we can get to the bottom of what happened and provide some answers to PC Coetzee and his family.”

Debris from the scene indicates the vehicle would have sustained front-end damage to the bumper, grill, at least one of the lights and possibly the windscreen.

Police are not certain of the vehicle’s colour yet but there is a ‘possibility of it being dark metallic grey’.

Det Sgt Hazelwood added: “If you think you have any information about the vehicle or motorist involved please contact us.”

Witnesses or anyone with information about the vehicle are being urged to contact the crash investigation team on 101 extension 800 2225 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111