A TEENAGE triathlon star has appealed for help in trying to discover whether she was the victim of a hit and run.

Lissie Hood, 14, is recovering at home in West Moors after suffering severe head injuries, multiple abrasions and a broken collar bone while on a training ride with her father Hugh on Saturday October 20.

Now, police are appealing for the driver of a silver car to come forward after it was seen overtaking Hugh moments before Lissie was found unconscious in the middle of the road.

The pair had nearly completed the 20-mile route and were just approaching Crow Hill in Ringwood when the Bournemouth School for Girls pupil pulled away from her dad and crested the hill.

Seconds later Hugh found her lying still attached to her bike by her clipped shoes in the road.

The youngster was taken to Southampton General Hospital and put onto life support as doctors feared she had bleeding on the brain and possible spinal injuries.

But Lissie, who is ranked number two in the UK for triathlons, is expected to make a full recovery and is urging the driver to come forward.

“I don’t remember anything at all. I just remember waking up in hospital and asking how my new bike was”, Lissie said.

“I thought it was a bad dream.

“They think I was unconscious when I hit the road, which is explains why I made no move to put my hands out and break the fall.”

Lissie, whose helmet was returned to her with a massive crack in it, added: “My dad thought I was going to get back up.

“Apparently another car driver stopped and another lady came out of her house and gave me blankets.

“I was freaking out apparently. But I can’t remember anything.”

The youngster, who was also an Olympic torchbearer in Bournemouth this summer, said: “If the driver is reading this, or someone who knows something is, I would just ask them to come forward.

“It would be good to know what happened. They could tell me if I fell off or something else happened. It would be the final piece of the jigsaw.”

Lissie’s mum Heather said: “What happened to Lissie out on the bike is every parent’s worst nightmare. She was wearing a helmet, safety glasses, cycling safely. We just want to know what happened.

“I think the fact that she is so fit has helped her recovery – that and her determination to get back into training.

“No one can believe she is back on her feet so quickly. It could have been very different.”

The family also thanked the local community for their support during the difficult period as well as the police and staff at Southampton General Hospital.

Witness are asked to contact Hampshire Police on 101.