A father-of-three had nightmares and feared he might not walk, work or drive against as he spent Christmas and New Year’s Eve in hospital after being hit by a van.
Lee Robson, 48, crawled on his elbows to ask for help after he suffered leg injuries his sister believes might be “life-changing” in an apparent hit-and-run attack in Gravesend earlier this month.
He underwent surgery on his shattered leg on New Year’s Eve, and will have to return to hospital once a fortnight for physiotherapy and to have the brace on his leg tightened.
Mr Robson, a father to 19- and 14-year-old daughters and an 11-year-old son, was hit by a van that mounted the pavement in Harmer Street at about 8pm on Friday, December 16 as he leant in to his parked car to retrieve his phone he had left inside.
His leg was “crushed” between the van and his car. The van – described by his sister as a “white van with a roof rack and a silver frame” – was also crashed into a lamppost.
Lying on the floor in agony, Mr Robson had to crawl to his flat to phone for help as the driver of the van drove off.
Surgeons had to wait for the swelling to go down before operating, meaning Mr Robson, a builder who lives nearby, spent Christmas and New Year’s Eve in hospital.
His sister Helen Chambers, from Dartford (pictured above with Mr Robson), urges witnesses to come forward.
“My brother had to crawl on his elbows to his flatmate to phone for an ambulance,” she said.
“He felt this overwhelming crushing feeling. Lee has got life-changing injuries to his legs.”
Mr Robson was transferred from Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford to St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey, for surgery.
“We all tried to rally around him but he is very shook up and is having nightmares,” Ms Chambers said.
“We don’t know whether he will be able to work again. He might not drive again. He might not walk again.
“He has three children to support.”
She added: “I don’t think it was done on purpose.
“But I don’t think it’s right that that people can just keep shtum about this.
“I just want them to catch the person who did this to my brother.”
A Kent Police spokeswoman said: “Officers attended and carried out enquiries to locate the van, which had left the scene. It remains outstanding.”
No arrests have been made.
To offer information, call Kent Police on 01474 366149, quoting reference number 16-1304.
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