A 75-YEAR-OLD woman is in hospital with serious injuries after being involved in a hit-and-run incident while out walking.

She was crossing the B1257 Helmsley to Stokesley road, in North Yorkshire, at about 5.20pm yesterday, when she was hit by a motorcyclist.

The rider is said to have stopped briefly, but left without trying to help.

She remains in the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where her condition is described as serious.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "A 75-year-old woman from Warwickshire, who was walking the Cleveland Way, was crossing the road toward the Claybank car park, about two-and-a-half miles from the village of Chop Gate, when she was in collision with a motorcycle travelling towards Stokesley.

"The motorcycle hit the woman and knocked her down onto the road.

"It has been suggested that the motorcyclist who hit the woman was in company with a second motorcycle and that both riders stopped momentarily, a short distance up the road, before leaving in the direction of Stokesley.

"The motorcyclist could not have known the extent of the injuries sustained by this lady, and did nothing to find out, or help her."

The bike that hit the woman is described as a large-capacity sports bike, possibly a Honda.

Police are appealing for both riders to come forward and have also appealed for anyone who saw the incident, or who was in the area at the time, to get in touch.

Traffic Sergeant Neil Campbell, of North Yorkshire’s roads policing group, said: "I would appeal to the rider of the motorcycle involved to do the right thing and come forward.

"The lady involved has sustained serious injuries and the incident has been compounded by the rider leaving the scene.

"I would also appeal to that second motorcyclist to get in touch, as he or she holds vital evidence and we need to eliminate that person from our inquiry.

"These actions will not be tolerated and we are actively following several lines of inquiry to trace the riders involved."

Witnesses are asked to call Sgt Campbell, or Traffic Constable Lee Hawksworth, of the road policing group, on 0845-60-60-24-7, quoting reference number 413 of May 29.