A 69-year-old suffered a broken arm and hip after a "callous" cyclist crashed into her before allegedly riding off.

Retired lawyer Susan Rudeloff remains in hospital two weeks after the "shocking" hit-and-run on a footpath just outside Canterbury.

She, her husband, and two friends arrived in the city for a walking trip on May 28 - hoping to complete the 11-mile stretch along the North Downs Way to Shepherdswell.

But minutes into their walk, Mrs Rudeloff was struck down by a man on a bike on the Pilgrims Way.

Her husband Walter Rudeloff said: "We had no idea what happened. It just happened so fast and out of the blue.

"We were so shocked.

"We had just left the public road and having entered the pedestrian path with signs restricting motor vehicles, thought we were safe from traffic from behind.

"The four of us were walking more or less abreast when my wife was suddenly thrown to the ground."

The cyclist also reportedly came off his bike as he crashed into Mrs Rudeloff.

"My wife lay in front of me, bleeding and unable to get up," recalls Mr Rudeloff.

"I was thinking everything was ruined - the day, the week, the summer, perhaps the rest of her life.

"As could be expected, a big swearing match began as to who was at fault.

"Clearly the fault was the cyclist's, as we were facing in the direction of travel. He, coming up behind us, had every opportunity to stop if we were in his way."

The cyclist reportedly made a "warning sound" that went unheard by the Rudeloffs.

One of their companions heard it, but said it was "not like any bell" and was made just before the cyclist struck Mrs Rudeloff.

Mr Rudeloff, 69, said: "I was getting quite upset by the callousness of the cyclist who insisted it was all our fault for being 'in his way'.

"As I shouted back at him, he started to come at me like he was going to sort me out; me, almost 70 years old, and he, apparently late 30s."

As Mr Rudeloff fetched his camera to photograph the cyclist, the man allegedly mounted his bike and rode away.

A passing jogger rang 999 and Mrs Rudeloff, who was in "a lot of pain", was taken by ambulance to the QEQM hospital in Margate.

There she was told she had suffered a broken arm and a fractured hip, which required surgery to implant three pins.

"We still don't know how well her bones are going to recover," said her husband.

Mrs Rudeloff remains at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, but it is hoped she will soon be transferred to a London hospital where she will be nearer her husband.

The couple hope to see the "callous" cyclist brought to justice.

"We're terribly angry with him," said Mr Rudeloff.

"I know he must be a person of quite low character in my opinion - driving off, leaving us there watching Susan bleed.

"I was so outraged at the time but now I just want the law to take its course.

"I feel this aggressive cyclist could pose a danger to other pedestrians, and should be held to account for his reckless cycling.

"Small children and elderly walkers, could be victims of even more serious injuries."

The cyclist is understood to have been riding a blue-framed Specialized bike. He is said to be of a heavy build, and to have been wearing dark-coloured cycling gear including shorts and a long-sleeved top, along with a blue helmet.

Police say they are investigating the situation and are trying to trace the cyclist involved.

A spokesman said: "The Traffic Summons Team is continuing enquiries to identify and speak to the cyclist to establish the full circumstances.

"Anyone with information regarding the incident should call Kent Police on 01843 222289, quoting TST 207-5372-22."