A WOMAN is being sought by detectives after a man was taken to hospital with a suspected bleed on the brain following a fall.

The man, 40, was discovered last night by a police officer after they had left the Tesco Express garage in Abbey Street, in Accrington.

The man was found outside the petrol station, across from the old Accrington police and fire station at the bottom of the Manchester Road junction with Abbey Street, at around 11.30pm. 

He was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital, with what is thought to be a bleed on the brain, and remains in a critical condition.

Officers are keen to speak to a woman, believed to be a friend, who was in the company of the man at the time he was found.

It is thought he may have fallen over.

UPDATE: Man found collapsed near Accrington petrol station has died, police confirm

The woman is described as around 40 years old, approximately 5ft 8ins tall, and had long black hair which was slightly curled and was wearing a dark coat. 

DC Nicola Ibbotson from Blackburn CID said: “We need to speak to this woman, believed to be a friend of this man, as she may have information as to how he has ended up on the floor with this injury.

"He is extremely poorly in hospital and so we need to find out what happened to him.

“If you think this was you, please call us on 01254 353879 as soon as possible.”

The scene is taped off while officers investigated the circumstances of the incident.

An eyewitness said they saw someone on the floor and police searching the area with torches.

The eyewitness, who has sent the Lancashire Telegraph an image of a police van and the area taped off outside the store, said: “ Looking bad at the Tesco in Accrington.

“I saw someone on floor at around 11.40pm last night (Saturday).

“Police and ambulance were at the scene and then at 2am today police were searching with torches.”

Blackburn duty inspector Illyas Mohmed said: "A man was found collapsed on the floor outside Tesco Esso Express in Abbey Street, Accrington overnight on Saturday.

"We believe the man was in his early 40s.

"He was taken to Royal Blackburn Teaching hospital by ambulance.

"He is in quite a serious condition in hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.

"The man had suffered head injuries.

"Police and ambulance were called to the scene and contained it to find out what's happened."

Anyone with information can also call 101 quoting incident reference 1671 of February 17.