A teenager has lost his fight for life after being left for dead on a roadside.

Today police officers joined the family of Stuart Lister in appealing for information about his final hours.

And devastated relatives paid tribute to the "lively" teenager who "loved a giggle".

Despite efforts by medics who carried out two brain operations, Stuart died yesterday with his parents Christine and Keith, brother Jason and sister Joanne at his bedside at Leeds General Infirmary.

Stuart, 18, of Thornhill Road, Steeton, enjoyed a Friday night out with friends in Keighley but was found with serious head injuries in the road in Steeton, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

How he came to be in the road, and what caused his injuries, is still a mystery but his parents believe he may have fallen from a vehicle.

Today PC Phil Day, from Keighley traffic police, said "a lack of evidence on the road to suggest a collision" made it more likely that Stuart had fallen off or from a vehicle.

He said: "There must be someone out there who either witnessed it or was involved in what happened.

"A pathologist will be examining Stuart's injuries to try and determine how he received them but at the moment we're remaining open minded as to the cause."

Police are still trying to find the driver of a white taxi - possibly a Toyota Carina - seen in Steeton with a young white person in the front just before 1.30am.

Stuart's aunt Lorraine Ormesher said: "We still know nothing of what happened. We'd appeal to anyone who knows to come forward. We have had conversations with the police but we are no nearer to knowing what happened. I really hope that this will now convince people to speak up. We all need to know, but especially his mother Christine who is devastated."

Paying tribute to the former South Craven School pupil, who worked at Abbey Art Stone in Keighley, Mrs Ormesher added: "He was full of life and loved a giggle. He had lots of friends."

Police were due to start sifting through CCTV footage in a bid to help establish Stuart's movements. They hope the footage will reveal exactly when and how he left Keighley town centre.

Anyone with information about the incident should call 01535 617059.

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