POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a hit and run accident in Deptford which killed a 17-year-old cyclist.

Officers were called at around 5pm on Friday to Deptford Church Street, at the junction with Bronze Street.

A 17-year-old boy, named locally as TJ, had been knocked off of his bicycle by a silver Audi car as he was using the pedestrian crossing.

The car failed to stop and the driver continued south along Deptford Church Street, then turned around at the traffic lights before coming back to the scene.

Eventually, the driver stopped on the opposite carriageway before driving off again, turning left into Coffey Street.

The car, which had not been reported as stolen, was found abandoned in Watergate Street, Deptford, at around 7pm.

The cyclist was taken by London's Air Ambulance to King's College Hospital with severe injuries and died there at 8.20pm.

Next of kin are aware but formal identification has yet to take place.

Inquiries are underway to trace the driver of the vehicle involved.

Anyone with information can contact the Road Death Investigation Unit at Catford Traffic Garage on 0208 285 1574 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.