A MAN from East Cleveland is fighting for his life after being found lying in the middle of a street in Sydney with a fractured skull and broken ribs.

The parents of Daniel Moore, 21, who is originally from Marske, are flying to Australia to be at his bedside as police attempt to discover what happened to him.

Officers found him in the road suffering from severe injuries, including internal bleeding, in the northern suburb of Manly early on Sunday morning.

He was taken to Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital, where his condition was described as critical.

New South Wales Police are appealing for the driver of a taxi seen in the area at the time to contact them.

It is believed that the taxi stopped shortly before the incident and then continued down the road where Mr Moore was found.

A New South Wales Police spokesman said: "Police would now like to speak to the driver of a taxi who is believed to possibly be one of the last people to have seen Mr Moore."

Police are hoping the driver of the taxi may be able to assist with inquiries and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Street View image showing the junction of Pittwater Road and Collingwood Street in Manly where Mr Moore was found by police patrolling the area about 3.50am:

Mr Moore had been living in Manly, whose beaches and bars make it popular with surfers and backpackers.

It is believed he had been in Australia for about two years and may have been saving up to visit the Indonesian island of Bali, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Friends told the Manly Daily newspaper that the 21-year-old had been working as a plasterer at nearby Brookvale and was hoping to be sponsored by his employer so he could remain in Australia.

Inspector Bob Bell, from Manly police, told the paper: "It's a bit of a mystery. Were following a certain line of inquiry.

"He's the one bloke who can throw light on the whole thing... we haven't been able to speak to him because of his condition."

Mr Moores parent's are expected to arrive in Australia on Wednesday morning.

Do you know Mr Moore? Email newsdesk@nne.co.uk or call 01325-505065