A SEARCH was underway last night for the driver of a red Mitsubishi following an accident which left a man with life-changing injuries.

Police said the Mitsubishi was in collision with two parked vehicles and a pedestrian on Monday afternoon.

The pedestrian, a 34-year-old man, suffered life-changing injuries in the collision, which happened at around 3pm on Oxford Road, near Peel Park.

The red Mitsubishi failed to stop but was later located with the help of a police helicopter.

Officers said it had been abandoned and appealed for the public's help in tracing the driver.

The incident prompted a huge response from the emergency services. An air ambulance was scrambled to the scene, although the casualty is understood to have been taken to Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) by land ambulance.

Residents spoke of their shock.

Gladys Rawson, who has lived on Oxford Road for around 50 years, said she heard a helicopter so came out from her house at the bottom of the road.

Less than one hundred and fifty yards from the scene of the incident is Peel Park Primary School which closes at 3.20pm.

Marlene Wood, who also lives on Oxford Road, said: “I knew something would happen down here. Kids play out around here a lot. It’s only a matter of time before a child gets knocked down.

“It’s an accident waiting to happen.”

Police cordoned off a section of the road and closed it between Peel Park and Idle Road while the incident was dealt with.

A badly damaged black Hyundai could be seen sideways in the road, and one witness said it had originally been parked facing down the street before it was hit.

The car sustained significant damage to its left rear side, with the passenger door completed crumpled and a multicoloured umbrella hanging out the back of the wreckage.

The front of the vehicle was also damaged, with the bonnet bent upwards and a large dent to the left side.

A resident of the area, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Cars always pick up speed when they come down this hill, but since they put bumps up, it’s helped."

They added that most people who walk down Oxford Street at that time tend to be going to pick kids up from the nearby primary school.

Anyone with information should ring 01274-376639 and ask for PC Moore, or quote log 1047 of September 24.