A hit-and-run driver left a pedestrian with head injuries in Highbury last night.

A hit-and-run driver smashed a cyclist off her bike and left her lying injured in the street in Highbury last night.

Police say the driver collided with a 56-year-old woman in Fieldway Crescent at 10.35pm, then fled the scene before officers arrived.

The woman's head injuries are "not life-threatening", according to Islington Police. Neighbours say the street has become a dangerous rat run that cars hurtle down at all times of day and night since Highbury Corner roundabout was opened to two-way traffic in April.

One man told the Gazette: "I was sitting at my window about 30 meters away from the accident. I heard a car moving quite fast down the road, playing music loudly. A few seconds later I heard breaks and a loud scream. I looked out my window and there was someone on the ground.

"A few people came out of cars, presumably to help. The car stopped and two cars pulled up behind it immediately afterwards. The cars needed to stop because the cyclist was in the road. By the time police came these people had moved on.

"My neighbour came running for a towel so I went down and gave the people helping her a towel to support her head.

"She wasn't well. I think she was on the ground for 30 to 40 minutes before she was able to be put in the ambulance and there was certainly trauma and significant injuries."

The man with spoke with other neighbours this afternoon, when Fieldway Crescent was temporarily closed to vehicles as part of the annual car free day, which aims to transform roads into places kids can play safely.

He added: "A few neighbours almost said they weren't surprised, it has been an accident waiting to happen. Field Way Crescent has been used as a rat run since work at [Highbury Corner] roundabout has been put into effect and cars move down it very quickly at all times of day and night - they speed around the corners."

Witnesses should call 101 and quote this reference number: 8376/21sep.

Did you see what happened? Are you the victim? Contact Lucas at the Gazette newsdesk on 07785 616244 or lucas.cumiskey@archant.co.uk