A 43-year-old man is fighting for his life in hospital after being struck by a car driver who failed to stop.

The victim, a pedestrian, was crossing Old Road West, Gravesend, when the incident happened. A silver-coloured Ford Escort, which was parked in the road, reversed back into him.

The driver of the vehicle hit the man and continued to drag him along until a witness starting banging on his window to make him aware of the collision.

At this point the driver failed to stop, but instead drove off at speed in the direction of Pelham Road and Perry Street.

Police say the victim remains in hospital in a critical condition with serious head injuries.

The driver is described as an Asian male, in his late 20s or early 30s. The car is believed to be a silver Ford Escort and police officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or seen the car drive off.

They also want to hear from anyone who may have seen the car parked in the area around Old Road West, between Pelham Road and Cecil Road, on the day of the incident or the days around it.

The incident occurred on Thursday, May 31 between 7.20pm and 7.30pm.

Det Ch Insp Jon Sutton, who is leading the inquiry, said: “The person who was driving this vehicle either panicked or callously left this man for dead.

"We really need to find him and the car he was driving and I would appeal for anyone who may have any information about this crime to contact us.”

Anyone with information about the incident or was in the area at the time, is asked to call DCI Sutton at Gravesend Police Station on 01474 565203. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.