Man fights for his life after early-hours hit-and-run in Shropshire town

The 37-year-old man was one of three to be hit by the car in Curdale Close, just off the A4117, shortly before 2.30am this morning.

He suffered a cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital, where he remains in a critical condition according to police.

The other two men escaped with minor injuries and did not require hospital treatment.

A 19-year-old man was arrested by police and is currently helping officers with their enquiries.

The incident saw the A4117 closed off at its junction with Catherton Road for nearly nine hours while police gathered evidence and conducted enquiries.

It was reopened just after 11am this morning.

Inspector Peter Kitosi-Isanga, of West Mercia Police, said: "At 2.24am we were notified by the ambulance service that a vehicle had hit a pedestrian who was in cardiac arrest.

"It was initially a fail to stop but the driver has since been identified and a 19-year-old male is in custody helping us with our enquiries.

"The vehicle hit three males but only one was in a critical condition, the others just walked away with some grazes and minor injuries.

"The road was re-opened at 11.07am, although officers were still on scene well into the afternoon continuing with enquiries."

The road was blocked off by a police car parked across it.

Signs put up by highways officers said: "Road closed due to serious incident. Please find alternative route."

Shropshire's Operational Patrol Unit (OPU) tweeted: "Serious Accident A4117 in Cleobury Mortimer village. Closed for several hours."

Anyone who has any information or saw anything which could help police is urged to call officers on the non-emergency 101 number.

Alternatively, information can be offered anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.