A woman who was allegedly assaulted before she was struck by a vehicle that left the scene is in hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Officers are appealing for help after as part of the investigation following the incident at 5am on Wednesday in Sunderland.

Emergency services attended Victory Street in the Pallion area where a woman in her 40s was found with serious injuries.

It is believed she was involved in an altercation on Victory Street before being struck by a vehicle, which then made off from the scene.

She was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, where she remains in a critical condition.

Detective Inspector Mark Atherton, of Northumbria Police’s Major Investigation Team, said: “Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of the victim at this extremely difficult time.

“Our investigation remains at an early stage but we believe this to be an isolated incident, and a dedicated team of officers are following various lines of enquiry.

“We are committed to ensuring those responsible for inflicting the woman’s injuries are brought to justice.

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“We’re asking anyone who was in the area of Victory Street at the time who may have witnessed the incident, or have any dashcam footage, to come forward.

“Your information could prove key to our investigation.”

Five people have since been arrested – two men, aged 40 and 54, and one woman, 26, on suspicion of affray and one man, aged 59, and a 28-year-old woman on suspicion of assault.

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Officers are now appealing for witnesses to come forward with any information or dash cam footage which they believe could assist enquiries.

Anyone with information that can assist the investigation is asked to get in touch by sending a direct message on social media, using the website or by using the live chat function on the Northumbria Police website quoting log number NP-20240918-0132.

For those unable to contact the force in those ways, call 101.