Police Hunt Hit-And-Run Driver And Passengers

West Yorkshire Police have made an "urgent appeal" for information to trace the occupants of a car that failed to stop following a fatal road traffic collision in Leeds.

Shortly before midnight on Monday a 25-year-old man was hit by a blue Volkswagen Golf while crossing Stanningley Bypass, by the junction with Houghley Lane, near to the old Bramley fire station.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Golf, registration LC07NNX, was travelling towards Pudsey at the time of the collision.

Detective Superintendent Nick Wallen, of West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: "The occupants stopped momentarily at the scene and got out in an attempt to recover the number plate which had come off the car but then sped off when they saw witnesses stopping at the scene. They made no attempt to check on the casualty.

"They were described by witnesses as two Asian males. One was heavily built and the other slimmer. From what we have established so far, we believe the vehicle is linked to the Bradford area.

"We are urgently appealing for anyone who knows the whereabouts of that blue Volkswagen Golf or who knows who was in the vehicle at the time of this incident. The car will have significant damage to the front of it and a smashed windscreen.

"Clearly the people involved in this incident need to be traced at the earliest opportunity and I am appealing to anyone who knows who was involved to contact us immediately.

"The scene is currently being examined and the carriageway is closed but we are conscious that this is a main commuter route and we are doing everything we can to get it reopened."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via 101 or call the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

(MH)