A 24-year-old cyclist is in serious condition after being run over by a car in Żabbar last night, the police said. 

The victim, who lives in Cospicua, was hit by an Opel Astra, driven by a 42-year-old from Żabbar, as he was cycling through Triq Wied il-Għajn.

The cyclist was rushed to Mater Dei Hospital where it was later established that he had sustained serious injuries. 

In a Facebook post this morning, Antmar Gatt claimed he had survived a hit-and-run and was mowed down "like a mad dog". 

He said he is sustaining scars to his face and arm, a broken bone in his leg and that his bicycle was damaged beyond repair.

The victim said he hoped the driver would face jail time for the incident. 

But when contacted, the police's Communications and Media Relations Unit said they had no information that the incident was being considered as a hit-and-run.

"The car involved was on the scene when the police arrived, and the damageit sustained is compatible with the incident," the police said, pointing out they still had no information about whether they would press charges against the driver. 

The police are investigating.