A 19-YEAR-OLD has died seven days after he was allegedly assaulted in a street incident.

An inquest into Sam Kirk's death was opened yesterday at Derby and South Derbyshire Coroner's Court.

Detective Constable David Brown said Mr Kirk, of Handford Street, Derby, was the victim of an alleged assault in the early hours of July 20.

He was taken to Royal Derby Hospital with serious head injuries and was later transferred to the intensive care unit at Nottingham's Queens Medical Hospital.

DC Brown said Mr Kirk's condition did not improve and the decision was made to switch off his life-support machine on Tuesday.

A Derbyshire police spokeswoman said Mr Kirk was assaulted in Stanley Street, Derby.

She said: "He was walking along a passageway and got involved in a confrontation.

"He was punched in the face and fell to the floor."

She said an 18-year-old had been arrested and bailed.