RESIDENTS have spoken of their shock after a car ploughed into a group of people in Cleckheaton - leaving one man fighting for his life. 

Police were called to the scene at around 12.37am following reports of six people being injured after being hit by a red Audi on Bradford Road, at its junction with Balme Road.

A man in his 40s suffered life threatening injuries.

Five other men received medical treatment. Two sustained serious injuries and remain in hospital. Three others sustained minor injuries and have since been discharged.

A 49-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody.

Earlier in the evening, there is believed to have been an altercation between the driver of the vehicle and some of the people injured. 

Extensive cordons have been in place in the area today while police carry out their investigations. 

Nick Jones, 45, who lives nearby, said: "It's really shocking. We were out last night - it happened while we were still out.

"It's a shock, it's horrifying - it could have been anyone.

"You don't expect something like that to happen on your doorstep."

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said he had not heard or seen anything, but described it as "awful".

"It's terrible," he said.

"I've been in this area for about 20 years - it's quite a nice area.

"It's shocking. It's just another awful thing that goes in the world."

One local worker told the Telegraph & Argus: "It's shocking so near Christmas - it's shocking any time of the year.

"You would not think it would happen on your own doorstep.

"I find it upsetting that it's happened to close to home, with a group of people who've gone to enjoy a night out and this is how the night's ended."

Liberal Democrat councillor Kath Pinnock, who represents the Cleckheaton ward, said it was "terrible".