Updated - 4.15pm with NGO's reaction below.

A cyclist is fighting for his life after he was hit by a car, whose driver fled the scene, in the limits of Żebbuġ on Monday evening.

The police said the accident happened at 7pm but they were only informed about it by Mater Dei Hospital at 6am on Tuesday.

Police investigations established that the 24-year-old victim, who is Colombian and lives in Pembroke, was riding a bicycle when he was hit by a car which sped off the scene.

He made his way to the Floriana health centre from where he was taken to Mater Dei Hospital by ambulance.

An inquiry is being held. The police are investigating.

In a reaction to the accident, Rota, an eNGO advocating for safe bicycle use, said this was an accident which should never have happened.

It said that every time somebody used a mobile phone while driving or double parked for a quick errand, other road users were being placed in harm's way.

"We have repeatedly called on the authorities for better infrastructure, increased enforcement and a widespread educational campaign. However, this keeps falling on deaf ears. How many more collisions need to happen? How many more lives need to be drastically changed and cut short? We need change, and we need it now. This does not stop here," the group said.