POLICE have identified a man they wanted to speak to about a hit-and-run crash which claimed the life of a pedestrian, after releasing A CCTV image of him.

The collision happened just before 4.10pm on Saturday, March 30, on Front Street, Leadgate, near Consett.

Abdul Karim suffered life-threatening head injuries after being knocked down by a silver-coloured Subaru Forester, which failed to stop at the scene.

The 61-year-old, who lived locally, was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, but died from his injuries nine days later.

Following the incident, a 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, disqualified driving and possession of a controlled drug, while a man aged 19 was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

They have since been released under investigation.

Police who released an image of a third man they wanted to speak to in connection of the incident, said he had now been identified and thanked everyone who shared the appeal, published in The Northern Echo