Leading Freemason injured in hit and run

?A leading figure in the Midland Freemasons has been left badly injured in a hit and run accident in Wolverhampton city centre.

Grandfather-of-two Barrie Rouse, aged 69, was returning to the Civic car park after a shopping trip to buy new shoes when it is thought he was struck by a taxi and a cyclist at the junction of Darlington Street and Victoria Street.

Today he was recovering in New Cross Hospital, where he has already undergone surgery to repair a shattered elbow.

Mr Rouse, who is secretary for the Provincial Grand Lodge of Freemasons in Staffordshire and attends the Tettenhall Road lodge, has been told he is likely to be in hospital for between six and eight weeks.

His son Stephen, aged 39, said: "It could be two years before he makes a full recovery. They've had to rebuild his elbow and he's got pins and screws in it. He's cracked his pelvis and they've had to put him in traction.

"He's not very well to be truthful. He's been in a lot of excruciating pain pain and they've given him morphine.

"We're just trying to do our little bit to find out who who saw what and if there are any witnesses who can help."

Mr Rouse, who works at the Ren-New building materials firm in Four Ashes, South Staffordshire, said his father's memory of the crash was unclear.

It is thought he was struck by a cyclist and a taxi and neither stayed to help. Members of the public came to help and one called 999. An ambulance took Mr Rouse to hospital after the accident, which happened at around 2.30pm last Tuesday.

Mr Rouse, of Woodcote Road, Tettenhall, lives with his wife Sandra, aged 65.

He also has a daughter, Debbie, aged 42, who lives in Tettenhall, and granddaughters Abbie and Chloe, aged 11 and seven.

In 2009, Mr Rouse joined fellow Freemasons to hand over a £4,000 to the Staffordshire Air Ambulance appeal.

* Anyone who saw the accident, or has any information about it, should contact Wolverhampton police on 0345 113 5000 or call the free Crimestoppers number anonymously on 0800 555 111.