A Newcastle campaigner has described how he feared for his life after a horrific hit and run crash with a lorry near Gosforth.
On Saturday (September 1) evening, Doc Anand was travelling down Kenton Lane when a HGV crashed into his car before it sped off- leaving the former GP fearing for his life.
Doc described hearing a large 'crunching sound' as his car was turned in the opposite direction by the force of the crash with his vehicle then dragged backwards in a terrifying scene. The Saab lorry then made off from the scene without stopping.
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The Gosforth resident, who is Conservative Party campaigner and finished second in the Gosforth ward at May’s local elections, explained: "There are gas works going on here near the Tesco Express and part of the road is closed.
"I was joining diagonally at about 9.05pm as the lights changed. A truck came at very high speed, smashed the corner of my car and turned it the other way around- jack-knifed it.
"The truck was dragging my car along for a good twenty yards."
Eventually, Doc's car came to a halt further down the road and by this point, he was concerned as there was a large amount of people present at the scene as well as a bus opposite him.
A black car then stopped at the scene and two policemen emerged. Doc was subsequently helped out of the car as he was having difficulty opening the door.
His car was left damaged in the crash with a backlight and wheel both impacted heavily by the collision, with significant denting also incurred to side of his car.
Doc said that he feared for his life during the horrific incident.
"He hit me at very high speed, [the HGV's] tyre marks are on my car. I thought- 'I'm going to die here'.
"I feared for my life, definitely. I'm not easy to frighten but imagine going backwards and being in the driver's seat, trying to lean away."
He has also been left with severe pain as a result of the incident and says that he has been stuck inside for much of the time since the crash which has also impacted on his work.
Doc said: "Of course, I am shaken. I can't go anywhere at the moment so it's having a big impact.
"I have severe neck pain. I'm not really the type to go after compensation. I'm a retired GP and I can look after myself.
"I take herbal medicine when necessary and hardly visit my doctor. I'd only go to my GP on a stretcher!"
"As the Conservative candidate for Gosforth, I really like to make a change. I'm a very keen campaigner."
He added: "It's making an impact on my work. On Saturday I have a jobs and skills fair happening at the Trinity Centre with over 20 top people coming- like the Army, Navy and others."
In Doc's work as a campaigner, he has endeavoured to try and improve the safety of roads in the region. Just last month, the Gosforth resident delivered a petition with 900 signatures to Newcastle City Council calling for the removal of bollards on the area's High Street.
The controversial scheme had drawn ire for numerous reasons – with complaints that they have worsened traffic congestion problems, put shoppers off and hurt businesses, and been confusing for people using the new zones.
Northumbria Police confirmed an investigation into the incident has been launched and that the inquiries into the whereabouts of all involved parties is ongoing.
A force spokesperson said: “Shortly before 9.25pm on Thursday (September 1), we received a report of a two-vehicle collision between a wagon and a blue BMW 1 series on Kenton Lane in Newcastle.
“Emergency services attended the scene however the driver of the wagon had left before police arrived.
“Enquiries are ongoing to locate all parties involved. Anyone who saw what happened or has information which could assist is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page on our website or by calling 101 quoting reference NP-20220901-1093.”
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