A MAJOR police operation began today after a man was found in a critical condition near a North Yorkshire village.

David Williamson, 57, from Sutton-on-the-Forest, had suffered severe head injuries, and was taken to York District Hospital before being transferred to St James's Hospital in Leeds.

He has not regained consciousness and is described as being in a critical condition.

Mr Williamson was last seen at 6pm yesterday in Huby. A passer-by found him lying on the path by the Huby to Sutton-on-the-Forest Road at 5.30am today. A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "These injuries could have been caused by any number of possibilities. We are not ruling out that he may have been involved in a road accident or that he could have been attacked.

"It is too early to make assumptions and a full investigation is being carried out."

The area, next to a building known locally as Bentley's shed, has been cordoned off by police and a forensic team was searching it today.

Sergeant John Hunter, who was investigating the incident, said: "The passer-by informed the ambulance service, which contacted us after they had looked at him and thought his injuries looked suspicious."

Anybody who saw Mr Williamson at about 6pm last night is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 01609 783131.

Updated: 15:36 Monday, March 26, 2001