Cyclist told 4mm was difference between life and death

Police are appealing for witnesses after a crash on the B1150, near North Walsham. Picture: Google streetview (Image: Archant)

Harry Rivett, 21, was travelling home from North Walsham to Sloley, when he was seriously injured after a crash with two cars which left the scene.

It happened on the B1150 North Walsham Road, near Toll Barn Vets, just before 1.30am on October 6.

Mr Rivett's mother Lorraine said: "Earlier this week, we visited the surgeon at the fracture clinic at the NNUH who cleaned and stitched Harry up.

"He said that the puncture wounds caused to Harry by his bike going into him, after he was struck, probably missed his arteries by millimetres and he would have died at the scene if it had been, maybe, 4mm further along his leg.

Cyclist Harry Rivett, 21, at A&E in Norwich after his accident. Picture: Lorraine Rivett (Image: Archant)

"That was shocking to hear. I think we are still taking it in, how lucky he was."

She said her son was still waiting for an MRI scan at the hospital, because his knee might be out of step.

She added: "He won't be able to go back to work yet. He's wearing a brace on his leg."

However, she added that he was keen to get out cycling again when he had recovered.

Mrs Rivett said her son's bike was hit from behind by one car that failed to stop, and he went under that vehicle.

She said a taxi driver had to avoid her son's body as he lay in the road, and that driver also failed to stop.

A car behind that taxi ran over her son's legs, she said, and the driver stopped to help, calling 999.

Mr Rivett, a bartender at The Crown in Smallburgh, suffered a deep puncture wound to his leg and his ear was lacerated. He does not have any recollection of what happened and spent a couple of nights in hospital.

Police want to trace the drivers of both vehicles who failed to stop. Call PC Diaa Fathalla at North Walsham police station on 101 or email Diaa.Fathalla@norfolk.pnn.police.uk quoting incident number 24 of October 6.