A MOTORIST who struck a pedestrian as he left a car park may be unaware his actions almost cost the man his life.

Although the driver of the light coloured Fiat or Seat car stopped to apologise before driving away, police believe he may be unaware that within hours of the incident in Wheeler Street, Maidstone, the man was critically ill in hospital and fighting for his life.

The 56-year old man was struck by the car as he crossed the entrance to the car park at about 4.45pm on Tuesday, January 7.

The impact forced the man to the ground, but he picked himself up and headed for home, apparently unscathed by the ordeal.

He deteriorated and was dropped off by his wife later that evening at Maidstone Hospital, where doctors discovered he had suffered a ruptured spleen and needed an emergency operation.

He was finally well enough to be transferred to a general ward Today and is now expected to make a full recovery.

PC Tony Howland from Maidstone and Malling Police said: "He is thankfully on the mend but it was touch and go for a while.

"We are still keen to speak to the driver, who we believe to be in his early 20s and was in the car with a woman of a similar age who may have been his wife or girlfriend.

"Technically he hasn't complied with the law as he should have stopped and given details after the accident or gone to his nearest police station to report it.

"The driver did stop briefly to say sorry but the fact he hasn't come forward leads us to believe he failed to realise just how badly injured the guy was."

Maidstone Police want to hear from the driver himself or any people who witnessed the incident. Contact PC Howland on 01622 608061.