A DAD has described the moment an “out of control” motorist ignored safety barriers and caused a group of Maldon cyclists to crash before driving off.

Police are investigating the incident at a Maldon and District Cycling Club event on Sunday.  The course took riders around the Dengie in an 80-mile circuit, finishing on Batts Road, Steeple.

As the first few riders began to finish, a car burst through the safety barriers at the finish line and drove up the course towards oncoming cyclists. Competitors were forced into a ditch.

John Perrot was one of the spectators at the event watching his son compete. He said: “He looked like he was out of control.

“He was coming along Batts Road and we were watching my lad finish. No cars are allowed until the race has finished, which is five minutes maximum by this point.

“This gentleman drove through the safety barriers and drove at the finish line at speed.

“About six lads came off their bikes and crashed into a ditch.  “Fortunately all the lads that did fall out the way managed to avoid any contact with the car. The driver did not stop. He raced through the finish line towards the second group of riders who were coming down towards the end.

“He just drove at them and we thought he was going to kill someone. He stopped at the last minute.

“It is the arrogance of the guy that angers me. He put people’s lives in serious danger because he couldn’t be bothered to wait a couple of minutes.”

Maldon and District Cycling Club confirmed the incident happened but said it was unable to comment further while a police investigation is ongoing.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Officers were called just after 12.15pm on Sunday, October 2 to reports a white Audi was in a collision with a number of cyclists who were taking part in a bike race on Batts Road.  “A number of bicycles were damaged and once cyclist suffered minor injuries. The car failed to stop.”

Anyone with information can Essex Police on 101.