Reward for information about hit and run that left New Milton mum Melanie Hemsley with terrible injuries

A mum who was mown down in a hit-and-run on New Milton’s high street says she is “really lucky to be alive” after the car “came out of nowhere”.

Melanie Hemsley (40) was thrown several feet in the air by the vehicle as she was crossing Station Road after a night out.

She suffered a fractured foot and rib, broken jaw and cheek and severe injuries to an eye socket which required 40 internal and external stitches.

The horrific accident on 3rd November was caught on CCTV.

A fundraising page was started for Melanie which she has asked to be used as a reward for anyone who comes forward with information that leads to the conviction of the person who hit her. At present the amount stands at £695.

Talking about the accident Melanie, who lives in New Milton, said: “I was with two friends which the car misses by seconds. I am really lucky I was not killed. I think I must have landed on my face as that is where most of my injuries are. I look awful at the moment, but I know my injuries will heal and I will recover.

“It could so easily have been different.”

She was so badly injured a medical crew from the Hampshire and IoW Air Ambulance had to stabilise her before she could be taken to Southampton hospital for treatment.

Melanie said: “I don’t remember anything about the accident, when I came to in the ambulance, I thought I had been kidnapped!

“When I watched the video it later, I was really shocked. I had been having a great night out with friends. We had gone to the Ultra 90s night at the memorial hall then decided to go to Central Bar for a drink.

“We left there about 12.25am. As we stepped out onto the road there was nothing coming. My friends said the car that hit me came out of nowhere. Watching the video, it appears the driver might have been on a mobile, or maybe drunk, because they don’t appear to have seen us as there is no effort to slow down.

“My friends said the driver did slow down after the accident as if they were going to stop, but then sped up and drove off.”

The vehicle was driving down Station Road from the direction of the station. Melanie said the high street was “busy” with people who had gone to the event at the memorial centre.

She said: “People came to help me which I am very grateful for.”

Melanie, who has been left with extreme dizziness as a result of the accident, works as an office manager for a property management company. She said: “I will not be able to drive for about six to eight weeks and not be able to return to my job for at least four weeks.

“There was confusion at the start as one person said they thought the car was white, so police were looking for that in the CCTV they had collected.

“But then I was given the video of the actual accident which was captured by someone who lives opposite the central bar and they realised it was actual dark coloured, possibly blue.

“It is travelling so fast in the video it is hard to see what make it is.”

A spokesperson for Hampshire police said the investigation into the accident is “ongoing”.

To donate to the Go Fund Me page visit: https://bit.ly/3Z1oVrG

Those with information about the accident should visit hampshire.police.uk or ring 101, with reference 44240478176. Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously via crimestoppers-uk.org or on 0800 555 111.