READ MORE: The cyclist sadly died after he was taken to hospital.

A cyclist was left lying in the road with life threatening injuries after an early morning hit-and-run.

Essex Police are appealing for witnesses after the collision in Roding View, Buckhurst Hill, at about 4.15am today (December 1).

Police officers were called by the ambulance service after the man was found suffering from serious injuries.

He was taken to the Royal London hospital in Whitechapel where he remains in a critical condition.

It is believed he was struck by a vehicle which failed to stop at the scene as he was travelling to work.

A large wing mirror was found at the scene and it is believed to belong to the vehicle involved. 

Police officers believe the vehicle involved is larger than a car, possibly a commercial vehicle, small lorry, van or minibus, as the mirror is about the size of an A4 piece of paper.

Acting detective inspector Dave Jones said: “We would like to appeal to the driver of the vehicle with the missing wing mirror to come forward and contact us.

“Equally if there are any transport managers or transport companies who have noticed anything suspicious about one of their vehicles this morning, particularly that it may be missing a wing mirror, please get in touch urgently.”

Officers remain at the scene of the collision in Roding View, and Loughton Way is closed with the 167 bus on diversion.

Anyone with information should contact officers at the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01245 240 590 or email CollisionAppeal@essex.pnn.police.uk.