THE cast of Bridport’s Ukulele Opera’s community theatre production Flea! is in shock after one of its leading lights was left fighting for his life after being found in the road near Crepe Farm House in Symondsbury on Friday.

The production, currently on at the Electric Palace until Saturday, is being dedicated to climate change consultant Raja Jarrah and there will be a vigil for him in Bridport’s Chapel in the Garden on Sunday.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after Mr Jarrah was found with serious injuries.

At around 4.18pm on Friday, May 19 it was reported that a cyclist was found in the road near to Crepe Farm House in Symondsbury.

Police reported the cyclist – a 60-year-old local man – sustained life-threatening injuries and is still in the intensive care unit in Southampton General Hospital.

PC Stu Smith, of the traffic unit, said: “Even though we have thoroughly examined the scene, it has not yet been established exactly how the man sustained these injuries while on his bike.

“I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident, or the manner of riding of the bike before the collision, to please get in touch.”

Flea! producer Sally Vaughan said the whole cast and crew were in shock but wanted to send their best wishes to Raja and his family.

She said: “Everybody who is involved in the Ukulele Opera Flea! have been so, so deeply saddened by the news of Raja’s accident.

“We are all sending out a huge amount of love to him and his family and we would like to dedicate the show to him.

“Raja was one of the first people to show support for this project when it first began over three years ago.

“We know how enthusiastic and energised he has been about the show.

“A great ukulele player and all round lovely guy and harbinger of true community spirit we are sending out our thoughts and prayers.

Close friends and colelagues of Raja and some of the Flea! cast are gathering for a vigil on Sunday afternoon for him.

Contact martin Maudsley for more information on 077612026460.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 19:291.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org