A YOUNG cyclist was hurled into the air after he was knocked off his bike by the driver of a BMW.

A hunt is on for the motorist who sped away after smashing into teenager Mark Bland. The 16-year-old was thrown into the air after being hit as he rode to work in Ashton-under-Lyne. His bike was wrecked but Mark escaped with minor injuries.

Today police said the youngster could have been killed and revealed that witnesses saw the black BMW, with tinted windows, being driven erratically before the smash.

Recovering at his home in Holts in Oldham today Mark said: "I saw the car before it hit me because it was weaving in and out of the traffic. It kept overtaking the cars and the driver was obviously in a rush.

"I overtook it because it was stuck in a queue so I didn't see it hit me from behind. I was just thrown off. The car didn't even try to stop, it just sped off."

Mark was on his way to work with his cousin in Ashton when he was hit on New Market Road at about 8.20am last Tuesday. The teenager, from Brownedge Road, started the job in Droylsden to earn some money before he starts college in September.

Pc Simon McEvoy, from Oldham's Traffic Unit, confirmed that witnesses had seen the BMW being driven erratically.

He said: "The condition of this young man's bike shows how lucky he was to get away with minor injuries. The driver made no attempt to stop to check on this boy and we would appeal for help in tracing him. This could have been a real tragedy."

Anyone who witnessed the smash or anyone with information about the driver should contact Oldham Traffic Unit on 872 5050.