A 22-year-old driver was arrested late on Tuesday on suspicion of hitting a cyclist and abandoning the scene in the coastal area of Yeroskipou.

The accident took place around 7pm when the suspect, who is a permanent resident of Paphos, was driving at Eratous street towards the Kolonis roundabout.

According to police, three cyclists were riding in a line at the far-left side of the road. When the young driver decided to enter the left lane, he hit the first cyclist, who fell on the ground. The man drove off without stopping to check on the injured cyclist, police said.

The 40-year-old cyclist was transferred via ambulance to Paphos’ general hospital, where he was diagnosed with an injury on his elbow and had to undergo surgery. He was kept for further treatment.

Traffic police carried out examinations at the scene of the accident later in the day. They also identified the driver, who was arrested and put under police detention.