IT'S not too late to come forward. That was the message today from the family of a man left dying in a York street after a car had run over his head, before disappearing without trace.

An inquest heard that Andrew Hickox, 42, a father of three, from Elland, near Halifax, suffered horrific head injuries in the incident in Lower Friargate, at about 1.15am on July 20, 2003.

He died four days later without ever regaining consciousness.

Police launched a major investigation into the tragedy, with a team of 14 officers pursuing 800 lines of inquiry, taking 165 witness statements and examining 327 voluntary questionnaires from taxi drivers. But those responsible have never been found.

York Coroner Donald Coverdale, who recorded an open verdict, told the inquest that it was possible somebody "deliberately ran Mr Hickox down".

"You would expect the driver to have stopped, but apparently not," he said.

Detective Sergeant John Roberts, who led the inquiry, told the inquest that doormen reported seeing a man arguing with four people in a red Ford Fiesta-type car and later chasing it in nearby Cumberland Street, shortly before Mr Hickox was found. "It's not possible to establish if that was Mr Hickox," he said.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Hickox's brother, Peter, said they were disappointed that CCTV cameras had failed to capture an image of the culprits. There were no cameras situated in Lower Friargate.

"We got the verdict we expected," he said. "Somebody, somewhere must know something.

"It's not too late for them to come forward."

Peter Hickox said it was likely that his brother was the man seen chasing the red Fiesta as "that's the sort of thing he did if provoked".

In a statement, Station Taxis driver Peter Nicholas told the inquest that he was forced to swerve to avoid hitting Mr Hickox while driving along Lower Friargate.

He said the victim was lying in a crucifix position with blood pouring out of his nose, mouth and ears.

The driver's three passengers were medics in the Territorial Army and administered first aid to Mr Hickox until the emergency services arrived.

Mr Coverdale said the pathologist's report revealed that Mr Hickox suffered severe face and head injuries, including a fractured skull and broken jaw. Traces of cannabis and cocaine were found in his system.

Pathologist Dr Christopher Milroy said the injuries were "in keeping with his head being driven over", while he was lying in the road "intoxicated". The cause of death was a head injury.

The inquest heard that Mr Hickox had been out drinking with three friends in several bars before becoming separated from them in Yates Wine Lodge.

Det Sgt Roberts told the Evening Press that the case remained open, but the inquiry had been wound down.

Updated: 11:03 Friday, August 12, 2005