A MAN was run over by a car, then pulled from beneath it and repeatedly stabbed by an attacker in front of horrified shoppers this afternoon.

Onlookers told how a man in his 30s ran from an open area beside the Baptist Church on Kirkgate straight into the path of an oncoming BMW 7 series car.

He was hit and went beneath the vehicle and was then caught and dragged out by his pursuer, who then stabbed him with a knife at least three times.

"It was terrible, the driver of the car was totally innocent and had nothing to do with it.

"The man just ran straight into the road and looked to have a badly broken leg in the accident," said a witness.

Nearby police officers swiftly arrested the suspect and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance ferried the victim to Leeds General Infirmary.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed: "A stabbing occurred on Kirkgate near to Manor Lane, Shipley.

"The victim was stabbed a number of times with a knife and was airlifted to LGI where he is in a stable condition.

"Today at around 2.30pm, an altercation look place on Kirkgate, in Shipley, a man fled the scene and was chased by another male.

"Whilst fleeing the scene, the 32-year-old man collided with a silver BMW 730.

"He also suffered stab wounds after the collision as he was attacked by the male suspect.

"A 45-year-old man has been arrested and police are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident."

DS Tim Lofthouse, of Bradford CID, said: "This was a violent assault which left this man with serious injuries.

"I would like to appeal to members of the public who were in the Kirkgate area of Shipley at this time who may have witnessed anything or have any information to come forward to the police to help with our enquiries."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Bradford CID via 101 quoting log number 1147 of 23 July.