POLICE have called off their search for a car involved in a suspected hit and run accident after new evidence emerged.

Investigations revealed George Holdsworth, 63, of Burnley Road, Colne, injured his head in a fall rather than being hit by a car.

He died in Burnley General Hospital early on Thursday, 14 hours after telling a police officer and health centre staff he had been "clipped" by a car as he stepped out on to a zebra crossing in Market Street, Colne.

Sergeant Russell Gregory, of the police road safety unit at Burnley who led the investigation, said: "A witness contacted us on Saturday to say they saw Mr Holdsworth fall and bang his head against the market cross in the middle of town.

"He then went across the zebra crossing and into the health centre for help. He was obviously in a confused state.

"It would explain why we've not had any other drivers who were at the scene coming forward to identify the car that was allegedly involved.

"We're satisfied now that there was no car involved and the search to try and find this vehicle has been called off."

A post mortem examination revealed Mr Holdsworth died from a brain haemorrhage.

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