Pedestrian seriously injured after being hit by minibus close to Cheltenham

A pedestrian sustained “serious injuries” after they were hit by a minibus on a road close to Cheltenham racecourse after day three of the festival on Thursday evening.

Gloucestershire police are appealing for witnesses to the collision that happened at around 7pm on Thursday, with the pedestrian taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for further treatment. No further information about the pedestrian has so far been released.

Police closed Hyde Lane, which runs to the north of the racecourse, while accident investigation work was carried out. The road was reopened on Friday with investigations continuing to take place.

A statement from the police said: “The pedestrian sustained serious injuries and remains in Southmead Hospital. The driver and occupants of the minibus were not injured.

“Investigating officers would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident, or the pedestrian in the area at the time, and has not already spoken to police.

“Additionally officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have dashcam footage of the collision or any footage that they may feel might be relevant.”

On Wednesday a 35-year-old man from Birmingham was arrested and bailed for indecent exposure on New Barn Lane near the entrance to Cheltenham racecourse.

The police said: “Officers attended to reports of a man indecently exposing himself at the main entrance on New Barn Lane at 8pm. A 35-year-old man from Birmingham was arrested in connection with the incident and has since been released on police bail pending further enquiries.”

The force also said they had attended a number of “minor incidents” on the first two days of the Cheltenham Festival, including three “minor assaults” and reports of pickpockets.

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