A HAMBLE youngster has been left with horrific facial injuries after a suspected hit and run incident involving a cyclist.

Hamble School student, Casey was making her way to classes on her scooter when a rider smashed into her and knocked her to the ground.

The incident happened on Wednesday at around 8.10am on Hamble Lane just a day after her 12th birthday celebrations.

According to Hampshire Police, the cyclist failed to stop at the scene and Casey was taken to hospital for treatment for serious facial injuries.

Her mother, Natalie Stewart reported that the doctors at Southampton General Hospital could not do anything because her face was so swollen and bruised.

She added that the collision which left her with a fractured eye socket could have severed a nerve and left her blinded permanently.

A massive Chelsea FC fan and a jiu-jitsu practitioner, Casey will not be able to attend school for at least another week and is due to visit an oral surgeon to assess the damage.

Natalie said: "If she had fallen the other way, she would have gone straight into the road. She is really lucky, it could have been so much worse."

Police are now urging anyone who witnessed the incident can contact police on 101, quoting 44190194059.