A NEW father was last night fighting for life after being knocked down in a late-night collision just moments after leaving an engagement party.

Officers launched an investigation after the unnamed 32-year-old was taken to hospital following the crash in Houghton-le- Spring.

He was struck by a Volkswagon Golf as he crossed the A182 in Newbottle Road, near the junction of Hillside Way, and suffered life-threatening injuries.

Last night it emerged he had just left an engagement party at the nearby Houghton Comrades Club and a worker at the club revealed he was the father of a three-month-old baby boy.

The worker, who did not want to be named, said: “All we know is that the lad was run over. He had left the club and he was making his way home.

“There was an engagement party on and he had been invited. He’s a local lad and he’s really well liked. He’s a real joker.

“I had not been in the club but when I came back there was an ambulance outside and they were trying to help him.

“He’s got a young kid whose only about 14 weeks old. Everybody is really upset – he is the life and soul of everything.”

An investigation was launched after the crash at around 1.40am yesterday.

An ambulance attended the scene and took the pedestrian to hospital. Last night a spokesman for Northumbria Police said he suffered a head injury and his condition was thought to be “potentially life threatening”.

Police have urged any witnesses to come forward as they bid to work out the exact circumstances surrounding the collision.

A spokesman said: “At 1.40am on Sunday, October 30, a 32-year-old man had left Houghton Comrades club and was crossing the road when he collided with a VW golf travelling south.”

Motor patrols officers are carrying out enquiries into the collision and are appealing for any witnesses to contact them on 03456 043 043 ext 69191.