A CIVIL servant was fighting for his life today after he is believed to have run into the path of a passing taxi as he fled from two attackers.

John Gorton, 35, of Accrington Road, Burnley, suffered serious injuries in the accident in Westgate, Burnley.

Three people were being questioned by police today. It was thought Mr Gorton was attacked just moments before the collision.

He was struck by the taxi outside Dixon's Toyota dealership at 2.15am yesterday.

The red Toyota Carina taxi was not carrying passengers and its driver, a local man, was unhurt.

Mr Gorton was taken to Burnley General Hospital where he was described as being in a serious condition in intensive care today.

Westgate was closed between Trafalgar Street and Active Way for much of the day to allow accident investigations to go ahead.

Detective Chief Inspector Mick Turner said: "We believe he was attacked just before he was in collision with the taxi and may have been trying to escape from his attackers.

"We are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the assault or the accident to contact us."

The taxi driver was not one of the three being questioned.

Detective Inspector Tony Ronnan, of Burnley CID, said: "We are trying to establish the sequence of events."

Anyone with any information are asked to contact Burnley CID on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.