A VULNERABLE man has died after being knocked down by a car after going missing from a residential home.

The 26-year-old, who had Down's Syndrome and has not been named at the request of his family, was involved in an accident on the southbound carriageway of the A19 at Crathorne, near Yarm, Teesside, shortly after midnight last Friday.

He had been reported missing a few hours earlier from the Larchfield Community facility run by the Camp Hill Village Trust in Middlesbrough.

He lost his fight for life at Middlesbrough General Hospital on Tuesday.

Staff spoke last night of their sympathy for the family, believed to come from Yorkshire.

Spokeswoman Monica Zimmermann, said: "When we realised he had gone missing, we called the police immediately as we were worried about his safety, and, as the weather was freezing, also about his health.

"All the residents and co-workers are devastated. It is been very hard to come to terms with what has happened.''

The driver of the car involved was unhurt in the collision and stopped to give first aid until paramedics arrived.

The Camp Hill Village Trust community, where the dead man was living, takes residents with learning difficulties either on referral from local authorities or direct from families.

As well as helping with care, the trust offers them the opportunity to participate in workshops, which teach a variety of skills which can eventually lead to employment.