A man was chased by a hammer-wielding gang before being deliberately hit with a car.

The victim was thrown into the air after he was hit by the white Mitsubishi 4x4, but still jumped to his feet and fled the scene on foot.

Police believe the man must have been injured in the incident and have been checking with local hospitals in a bid to find him, without success.

Detectives revealed today that the victim, who is described as Asian, in his early 20s and wearing a black and white tracksuit, had been chased by the car through several Bradford streets.

The man had desperately tried to dodge and hide from the vehicle, but was cornered in Sunbridge Road in the city centre, at around 7pm on Tuesday.

A gang of four or five men, wearing balaclavas and carrying hammers leaped out of the Mitsubishi and ran after the victim. The vehicle was then driven at him and flung him into the air.

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Horrified witnesses alerted police who rushed to the scene, but the man had disappeared.

The Mitsubishi had also been driven from the scene.

The vehicle, which had been stolen in a burglary in Liversedge two months earlier, was found abandoned and burned out in Gracechurch Street, Manningham, a couple of hours later.

Detective Constable Ian Fear, of Bradford District CID, who is investigating the incident, said it was clearly a targeted attack and it was important the victim was traced so he could be safeguarded.

“This was a horrifying incident, committed in daylight in a public place, and witnessed by a number of people,” said Det Con Fear.

“We really would like to speak to the victim and are keen to hear from anyone who has any information about who he is and what is behind this.”

Det Con Fear said witnesses first saw the Mitsubishi chasing the man around 15 minutes earlier.

The vehicle was seen being driven erratically and through red lights at the junction of Listerhills Road and Grattan Road. The victim was running on the pavement.

He went into Thornton Road and then Sunbridge Road, where he was confronted.

Det Con Fear said: “It would seem he was desperately trying to evade this car. We need to fill in exactly where he and the car have been in the 15 minutes before the incident in Sunbridge Road.

“The people who witnessed this were clearly shocked by what they saw. It is remarkable that the victim was able to get up and run from the scene, but he may well have suffered injuries.

“We would like the victim to come forward, or anyone who has any information which may assist us in our inquiries into this.”

Anyone who has seen the Mitsubishi recently, which had false plates - WU61ZVO - is also asked to contact police.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Bradford District CID, via 101, quoting the crime reference number 13160189854.

They can also give information confidentially to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.