A TAXI driver has been questioned by police after a man was fatally injured when he was run over in a Blackburn street.

An investigation has been launched after Peter Stappard was discovered in Canterbury Street in the early hours of Saturday morning.

He had suffered multiple injuries and died at the Royal Blackburn Hospital on Saturday afternoon.

Police said the 43-year-old, of Union House, St Peter's Street, Blackburn, was lying in the street when a people carrier belonging to a private hire firm ran over him just after 1am.

Officers have spoken to the owner of the people carrier and have appealed for the driver of another car seen in the area at the time to come forward. No arrests have been made at this stage.

Police and ambulance services arrived at the scene around 1.10am and Mr Stappard was rushed to Royal Blackburn hospital suffering from multiple injuries, including a serious pelvic fracture.

Sgt Mick Young, from the Eastern division road policing unit, said it was vital for the other driver to come forward.

He said: "I would like to appeal to the driver of a car seen on Canterbury Street at about 1.05am to come forward. The car was seen to drive around Mr Stappard just prior to another car colliding with him.

"This driver could be a vital witness and could be able to assist us greatly with the investigation. I must stress that the driver I am appealing for was not involved in the accident.

"Mr Stappard was laid in the road when he was hit by the car. We are quite happy that we have spoken to the driver of the vehicle involved in the collision."

Sgt Young revealed that a doctor on his way home from the Royal Blackburn Hospital had stopped to attend to Mr Stappard just moments before he sustained the fatal injuries.

He also called on anyone who may have seen Mr Stappard before he was found in Canterbury Street to contact them.

He was wearing a light blue waist length jacket, blue jeans and white training shoes.

Mr Stappard was not married and had no children.

He has left behind a mother, father, two brothers and a sister who live across Cheshire, Bolton and Scotland.

In a statement, the Stappard family said: "We were shocked to hear of the tragic loss on Saturday of Peter, a beloved son, brother, and uncle.

"We'd like to extend our gratitude to all those who have helped so far at this difficult time, in particular the Lancashire Constabulary's traffic police and hospital staff at Royal Blackburn. We would now appreciate the time to grieve in peace while any further police investigation is being pursued."

Anybody with any information should contact police on 01254 51212 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.