A 17-year-old cyclist who was knocked off his bike by a car was refused help by a passenger because she 'didn't want to upset her children' by letting them see his shocking injuries.
Cyclist Taron Stead was hit during rush hour and was left at the side of the road covered in blood and bruises.
The male driver stopped and a woman got out of the passenger seat.
She told the teenager, who was lying injured in the road, that her children were upset, and they were late for school, so the car drove off without giving any details.
Now Taron's mum, Naomi Pickard, has released a photo of her son showing his bloodied face and appealed for witnesses to the crash.
Naomi, 45, from Crookes, Sheffield, said: "I can't believe anyone would leave an injured child at the side of the road after a crash.
"He said the woman in the car got out looked over at him, told him she had children in the car who were upset and she didn't want them to be late for school, then the car drove off.
"But it was rush hour and it would have been busy so I am hoping that witnesses come forward and help the police trace the driver.
"I hope the driver and his passenger who drove off see Taron's injuries and think about their actions.
"If he hadn't been wearing a helmet I dread to think what might have happened."
Taron had only bought his mountain bike three weeks earlier after taking on an IT apprenticeship.
He was found by staff from Sheffield University's law school nearby, who called paramedics and was treated at the city's Royal Hallamshire Hospital.
A police spokesman said: "The incident happened in Crookes Valley Road, Sheffield on Friday 6 March when a 17-year-old boy on a bicycle was travelling towards Brook Hill along Crooks Valley Road onto Winter Street.
"At around 8.30am, the cyclist and a vehicle turning onto Mushroom Lane were in collision.
"It is reported that the vehicle left the scene.
"The cyclist suffered facial injuries and bruising.
"The vehicle is described as a silver Ford, either a Focus or Mondeo."