A PEDESTRIAN is fighting for his life after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver who was overtaking another car.

The victim, named locally as Jakub Walek, aged 25, remains in a critical condition after being knocked down by a Toyota Celica while crossing the road on Tuesday night.

He was hit outside the Co-op store in Tonge Moor Road, Tonge Moor, at 8.50pm as the Toyota was travelling towards the town centre. It happened less than 100 yards from the warehouse worker’s Eldon Street home.

Tonge Moor Road resident Robert Manning said: “I saw a guy driving along the road in a Toyota. He was impatient because the car in front wasn’t speeding up.

“The Toyota overtook it and the driver was too busy swearing at the car in front to notice a pedestrian stepping out.

“He hit the man and took his legs out from under him.

“The victim went up in the air and landed on his head.”

Police confirmed the Toyota failed to stop and bystanders said it was driven off quickly past The Starkie pub towards Bolton town centre.

Mr Manning said: “He sped off. It was definitely a hit and run.”

Shocked drivers who saw the collision pulled over and one passing motorist drove his car into the middle of the road to shield Mr Walek while neighbours including Mr Manning ran out to direct traffic.

Mr Walek comes from Polish city of Krakow and has been in Bolton about a year.

Police cordoned off Tonge Moor Road between its junction with Firwood Grove and Thicketford Road.  Paramedics were on the scene for an hour treating Mr Walek before he was taken by ambulance to Salford Royal Hospital.

A friend who lives in the same street said Mr Walek’s girlfriend and his mother were due to visit him in hospital.

Friend Mitchell Griffiths said: “I wasn’t there but I heard about it at work this morning.

“It is such a shame. I hope he pulls through.”

PC Phil Shaw of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This is an awful incident, which has left a man in hospital with serious injuries.

“I’m appealing to anyone who has information about the incident or may have seen the Toyota before or after the collision to get in touch with police as soon as possible.

“Anyone with information should contact GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4745 or 101 quoting 2204 of 09/08/16 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”