A MAN enjoying the sunshine in a public park was run over by a car which drove into the playing fields.

Paul Rumney, 42, of Shiney Row, Wearside, suffered serious head injuries and a collapsed lung at the fields near Biddick Woods, in Shiney Row, on Saturday afternoon.

His condition was described as critical by Sunderland Royal Infirmary staff last night.

Mr Rumney, who is single, was described by police as a well-known and well-liked man. His parents were at his bedside last night.

A blue Ford Fiesta drove into the field and up an embankment where it hit Mr Rumney. At least three people were in the car. Police have made inquiries and are appealing for information.

A relation of Mr Rumney, who declined to give his name, was at the family home.

He said: "Paul's mother and father are there and the rest of us are just waiting for any kind of information.

"All I can tell you is the whole family is extremely upset. All I was told was there had been an accident and his mother and father went straight to the hospital."

Inspector Gavin Clark, of Northumbria Police, said: "This is a very tragic event. Mr Rumney was a well-liked man and has a number of very serious injuries as a result of this.

"We need anyone with any information to come forward. We particularly need to know where this car is."