Belmar police are asking for the public’s help identifying a vehicle believed to have been involved in a hit-and-run crash that injured a bicyclist.

The crash happened around 6 p.m. Saturday, May 26 on Main Street near Seventh Avenue.

Henry Buerck says that he was on his way to see a friend’s band play in Belmar when he was hit.

“The next thing I knew I was airborne getting hit by a car from behind,” he says. “I was on the ground. It was unrealistic. I was totally shocked at what had gone on.”

Buerck spent four days at Jersey Shore University Medical Center suffering from a fractured skull, bleeding on the brain and severe cuts and lacerations.

Police say the vehicle, described as a beige 2006 or 2007 Ford Explorer, left the scene heading south on Main Street and turned right on Eighth Avenue, headed westbound. Officials say that the vehicle’s right taillight is not working and that there may be front-end damage.

Police say that they are confident that they will identify the driver.

“It’s very important for the driver to remain on the scene so we can fully investigate the accident properly,” says Detective Capt. Thomas Cox.

Buerck says that he will be out of work for about two months while he recovers. He says that he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash – a mistake he says he will never make again.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Belmar Police Department Detective Bureau at 732-681-3715.