Car Catapulted Across Road After Hit-and-Run
Nathan Batchelor's Vauxhall Astra was struck with such force by a black Mercedes that it was propelled across Hawkeys Lane in North Shields, coming to rest in a driveway on the opposite side of the street. The incident occurred around 12:30am on Tuesday, June 30, waking the 38-year-old production manager and many of his neighbours.
The Mercedes driver reportedly exited the vehicle, locked it, and fled on foot down Lansdown Terrace. Emergency services, including police, paramedics, and firefighters, attended the scene. Northumbria Police confirmed they are investigating the two-vehicle collision.
Second Hit-and-Run in Three Years
This is the second time Mr. Batchelor has had his car hit outside his home on Hawkeys Lane. In October 2023, a BMW with a 2021 plate was written off after being struck at 12:35am. He described the road as a straight 30mph zone and expressed frustration at the repeat incident.
“It’s happened twice in three years. Two hit-and-runs in the same stretch in a 30mph zone. It’s pretty much a straight road. Both times it was after midnight,” he told ChronicleLive. Mr. Batchelor added that he spent the next day looking for houses to move to and had to get a lift to work, calling it “a pretty big inconvenience.”
Police and Emergency Services Response
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) attended the collision and made the scene safe. A spokesperson said: “We can confirm that on Tuesday, 30th June, we attended an incident in North Tyneside. The emergency call came into our Control Room team at 00:46 and crews from Tynemouth and West Denton Community Fire Stations were despatched to the North Shields area. The incident involved a road traffic collision. Firefighters made the scene safe, leaving shortly after 01:00.”
The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) also responded but were not needed. A spokesperson said: “We received a call at 12.47am on Tuesday 30 June to reports of a road traffic incident on Hawkeys Lane in North Shields. We dispatched an ambulance crew to the scene but our services were not required and we were stood down on-scene by our colleagues at the police.”
Appeal for Information
Mr. Batchelor believes both vehicles will be written off and urged anyone with information about the Mercedes or the driver to contact Northumbria Police. The investigation remains ongoing.
