Footballer flees scene of fatal car crash

A first division footballer was being sought by police yesterday after leaving the scene of a road crash in which an elderly man died.

The West Bromwich Albion striker Lee Hughes was driving his silver Mercedes CL55 when it was in collision with a Renault Megane near Coventry city centre at midnight on Saturday. One passenger left with Mr Hughes but three others stayed at the scene and yesterday were being questioned by police.

The dead man, who was in his sixties and from Coventry, was a passenger in the Megane. His wife, also a passenger, suffered a broken leg. The two other Megane passengers suffered bruising and broken bones.

Mr Hughes, 27, is not believed to have suffered any injuries. West Midlands Police said they were "making every effort" to trace him. We have questioned his family and friends regarding his possible whereabouts, but so far he is yet to be found," a spokeswoman said.

"This is an ongoing investigation, and we would urge him to come forward and to contact his local police station. This was a very serious accident in which a man died."

The spokeswoman added: "We do not know who the passenger who fled the scene with the driver was. We are continuing to question the three other Mercedes passengers, who remained at the scene following the accident."

Earlier in the day, Mr Hughes had played for his team against Reading.