A 80-year-old man is “lucky to be alive” after being hit by a car in a supermarket car park, according to his family.

David Talbot was at the Tesco Extra store in Talbot Green, Pontyclun, to buy milk and bread at around 8pm on Friday, December 18.

Near to the entrance of the store, Mr Talbot noticed a car coming towards him but later told his family he “thought it might be someone coming to pick him up” because of how close it was.

Mr Talbot’s daughter-in-law, Emma Talbot, said: “David said a youngster was in the car looking straight at him and he started accelerating and carried on driving like he wasn’t go stop.

“We don’t know whether they stepped on the accelerator by mistake and just panicked but it’s a bit worrying that they can just hit an elderly man and leave him.”

Mr Talbot’s son, Martyn Talbot, added that his father “ended up on the bonnet” of the car after it made contact with him.

He said: “The person who hit him didn’t know whether he was injured.

“But when he rolled off the bonnet and knocked on the window to get them to stop, the car sped off”.

Mr Talbot said that car was dark in colour but they don’t have any more details at this stage. South Wales Police has been notified of the incident and is investigating.

The family want to thank a member of the public who went to Mr Talbot’s aid after the incident.

“A lady in the car park went across to check him over but he said he felt fine. I think it might have been a bit of adrenaline and him being a little shocked.

“I’m lost for words that the person didn’t stop. I can’t believe how lucky he was for not being seriously injured,” Mrs Talbot added.

A spokeswoman for South Wales Police said: “South Wales Police is investigating a report of road traffic collision involving a pedestrian and a car in the car park of Tesco Extra, Talbot Green.

“The incident is reported to have happened sometime between 7.30pm and 9.30pm on Friday, December 18.

Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact 101, quoting occurrence 2000457940″.