A 40-YEAR-OLD man is fighting for his life after being hit by a car as he jogged after dusk on a rural lane.

The injured man, who had been working near Helmsley, North Yorkshire, was running from the direction of Nunnington, on the edge of the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, when he was hit at 8.20pm on Wednesday (September 23).

Police said the incident happened on the Nunnington to Wombleton Road, at the junction with Muscoates Lane and involved a black Peugot 206 travelling in the opposite direction.

The runner, who is from Northern Ireland, was taken to James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, where he remains in a critical condition.

Witnesses or anyone who saw the runner or the vehicle before the incident should call police on 101, or email Paul.Long@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk