A 39-YEAR-OLD man has died after suffering serious injuries in a hit-and-run incident in Ilkeston.

Stephen Brough, who is from the town, was in Heanor Road near the junction with Charlotte Street when he was struck by a car in the early hours of Saturday. He was taken to Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre but died.

It is the second hit-and-run incident in Ilkeston in two months.

In August, Paul Davis, 37, died after being hit by a car in Corporation Road in the early hours of Sunday, August 10.

It is thought he was lying in the road when he was struck by a vehicle, which has not yet been identified.

On Friday, his mother, brother and sisters spoke for the first time about how his death had affected the family, in the hope of persuading witnesses to come forward.

Mr Davis's mother, Pauline, who lives in Corporation Road, said she had not been able to walk past the spot where her son was found since his death.

In the latest incident, police said Mr Brough, of Heanor Road, was standing in the road when he was hit at about 12.25am yesterday.

Mrs Davis said yesterday: "I heard about it in the morning and it made me go cold, as it is four weeks since Paul was killed.

"It is just so sad that it has happened again.

"My heart bleeds for the family of the person who was killed, as my heart is still bleeding for my son.

"I would appeal for anyone with information about either incident to come forward and contact the police."

Inspector Heather Young, who is leading the investigation, said police were keen to hear from anyone with information.

"At this stage, we don't know what car was involved," she said. "The only thing we know about the car is that it would have substantial damage to the front nearside.

"It could have smashed headlights, bumper and potentially a smashed windscreen because of what has happened. We just don't know."

Insp Young said the investigation would continue until the vehicle was found.

"It is very important we find this car and the driver. At the end of the day, they have left someone with serious injuries at the side of the road," she said. "His family need to know what has happened.

"People will have been walking home and getting taxis home when it happened and might have seen something.

"We are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything at all, no matter how insignificant they think it might be, to get in touch."

The road was closed until 4pm yesterday while police carried out a search of the area.

Anyone with information is asked to call Derbyshire police on 0845 123 3333 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.