A Polish man on what might be a world-record setting trip around the world by scooter managed to get through danger zones in countries like Afghanistan, Russia and Kazakhstan — but he's now in hospital in Calgary after a hit and run.

​Piotr Glowacki was riding east on his scooter named "Papak" on Highway 1 near Range Road 274 at about 10:40 p.m. Sunday when he was struck by an SUV.

A Polish man on what might be a world-record setting trip around the world by scooter managed to get through danger zones in countries like Afghanistan, Russia and Kazakhstan — but he's now in hospital in Calgary after a hit and run. 0:40

He was airlifted to the Foothills Medical Centre suffering from serious injuries.

Glowacki told CBC News he is awaiting surgery on a broken leg and a broken ankle.

Rebuilding in Calgary

Glowacki has already ridden through Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Korea on his 50cc scooter, according to Calgary's Apocalypse Scooter Club.

Its members have been helping Glowacki on the Canadian leg of his adventure as he tried to make his way from Vancouver to Prince Edward Island, said president Spencer Kennedy.

Piotr Glowacki sets off from Calgary a few weeks ago after members of the Apocalypse Scooter Club helped him rebuild his scooter. (Spencer Kennedy)

According to Guinness World Records, the record for longest journey on a 50cc scooter is 14,434 km, set by Ukrainians Theodore Rezvoy and Evgeniy Stoyanov from Odessa, Ukraine, to Ulan Ude, Russia, in 2013.

Kennedy said he's been told Glowacki has already gone 22,000 km so has "unofficially smashed it."

Glowacki's bike broke down in Calgary in late April, so club members spent weeks sourcing parts and rebuilding it.

They finally got him on the road again last week.

"We all piled together to help him out," he said.

"We just really got to know him and he's quite the character. Charming, with a sense of humour but also a typical Polish temper."

Second breakdown

When the scooter broke down again in Kincaid, Sask., a club member drove out to rescue Glowacki, and brought him back to Calgary to again fix his ride.

​Piotr Glowacki spent weeks rebuilding his scooter with the help of the Apocalypse Scooter Club in Calgary. He's shown here in a happier moment before he was hit by an SUV east of the city. (Apocalypse Scooter Club)

He was just setting off again on Sunday when he was struck by the SUV.

The driver of the SUV fled from the scene on foot.

A suspect was taken into custody late Monday morning, RCMP said.

Anyone with information on the hit and run is asked to call the Strathmore RCMP at 403-934-3535.

The Apocalypse Scooter Club has started a Go Fund Me webpage to try to help raise funds to help Glowacki with his medical costs.

Glowacki has been documenting his adventures along the way on a Facebook page.