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Murder 'may have racial motive' Murder 'may have racial motive'
(about 4 hours later)
A man who died after being hit by a car in Greater Manchester may have been the victim of a racial incident, police have said.A man who died after being hit by a car in Greater Manchester may have been the victim of a racial incident, police have said.
David Lees, of Heathbank Road, Blackley, died in hospital after being found collapsed on Middleton Road in Prestwich at 0100 BST on Saturday.David Lees, of Heathbank Road, Blackley, died in hospital after being found collapsed on Middleton Road in Prestwich at 0100 BST on Saturday.
The 23-year-old's death followed a disturbance believed to have involved white and Asian men.The 23-year-old's death followed a disturbance believed to have involved white and Asian men.
A police spokesman said neither of the groups were from the Prestwich area.A police spokesman said neither of the groups were from the Prestwich area.
However, they are investigating whether race "was an element" in the events leading to Mr Lees' death. It seems like a disturbance has escalated out of all proportion Supt Mark Robinson However, they are investigating whether race "was an element" in the events leading to Mr Lees' death.
A murder inquiry has been opened and the area was sealed off by detectives until mid-morning while investigations were being carried out. About 20 people were seen arguing on the forecourt of a BP garage prior to the killing.
Mr Lees, who was white, had been among people involved in a row with a group of Asian youths.
The spokesman said: "We are treating this as a racial incident, but the murder was not racially motivated."
Supt Mark Robinson of Greater Manchester Police added: "He (Mr Lees) was run down and killed by a vehicle.
"That vehicle fled the scene and we are treating it as a murder inquiry.
"It seems like a disturbance or a low-level disorder has escalated out of all proportion."
Friends and family of the victim have left flowers and tributes at the scene, which was sealed off until mid-morning while investigations were being carried out.