A ROAD accident victim may have already being lying injured in the highway before being struck by a car which failed to stop.

Brian Birtwell, 37, of Burnley, is seriously ill in hospital after being found badly injured in North Street, Burnley, near to the junction with New Hall Street at 12.35am today.

He is suffering from injuries including a fractured skull and broken collar bone.

Mr Birtwell was found lying in the road with a tyre impression leading away from the side of his head.

Police are appealing for information from anyone who saw Mr Birtwell late last night or who might have information about what happened to him.

A police spokesman said it was believed Mr Birtwell had been drinking and had fallen into the road injuring himself before being hit by a vehicle. His parents, Gordon and Dinah, live in Branch Road. Mr Birtwell said: "We have only just heard about what happened.

"Brian lived in Branch Road but is in the process of moving to an address in the Duke Bar area. I don't know where he had been last night or just what happened to him.''

Mr Birtwell's wife, Christine, was at the hospital with her husband today. He is a tarmac worker and the couple have four children aged between five and 14.

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