Emmerdale star Chelsea Halfpenny has issued an appeal for help finding information after her grandfather was hospitalised after a hit and run.
The 30-year-old actress, who played Amy Wyatt on the ITV soap between 2010–2013 and has also starred in Casualty, has been left heartbroken after her 85-year-old grandfather was mowed down and is now fighting for his life.
The incident happened in Gateshead on Friday night – with police confirming the incident and describing the elderly man as being in a "critical condition".
Taking to social media on Sunday, Chelsea – who is the niece of former EastEnders actress Jill Halfpenny – raise the alert and asked fans, friends, and followers for help.
She wrote: "There are 4 lads who all have Mams, Dads, aunties, uncles, and friends.. so there are a LOT of people in a very small area that have information on what happened last night.
"DO THE RIGHT THING.
"You have left somebody in a critical condition. You will be found. Group of 18/19 year olds, one with fair hair who came back to where the 85-year-old victim was lay bleeding and PICKED UP THE PIECES OF THEIR DAMAGED CAR AND DROVE AWAY."
She went on to brand the suspects: "Scum of this earth," and went on to describe their car.
She wrote: "They were in a Mercedes’ potentially *WHITE or grey/silver**. Reg potentially starts with NK57!!!! LEAM LANE ESTATE. Please help."
A Northumbria police spokesperson said: "Officers investigating a suspected hit and run which seriously injured a pensioner have released a description of the vehicle believed to be involved.
"At around 7.30pm on Friday, police were contacted by the ambulance service who were in attendance at the scene of a collision involving a car and a pedestrian on Woodburn, Gateshead.
"It is believed an 85-year-old man had been crossing the road when he was struck by a car which has then left the area. The man was taken to hospital with serious injuries and remains in a critical condition.
"Officers have been carrying out a number of enquiries to trace the driver and issued an appeal for information shortly after the incident.
"The car involved is believed to be a silver or grey Mercedes and was last seen travelling on Staneway, Gateshead, heading towards Wealcroft."
Investigating officer Sergeant Michael Parnaby from Northumbria Police said he is hopeful the suspects can be found if the available information is shared.
He said in a statement: “This incident has left an elderly man in a critical condition and it is imperative we find out exactly what happened.
“I would like to thank everyone who has come forward and offered their assistance to the investigation so far, but our enquiries to trace the driver remain ongoing which is why we have released further details today.
“We believe the car in question was a silver or grey Mercedes, which left Woodburn after the incident, and was last seen on Staneway. We’re asking anyone who was in the area, or anyone who thinks they may know the driver, or saw a similar vehicle in the local area, to get in touch with us as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 101, use the Tell us Something page online or email the investigating officer 2367@northumbria.pnn.police.uk quoting log NP-2022—0225-0977.
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