A man was taken to hospital with serious head injuries after being found in an Inverness street early yesterday morning.
The 52-year-old was found near Morrisons Filling Station on Millburn Road at about 1.20am.
He was taken to Raigmore Hospital, where he remains in a serious condition.
It is not yet clear how the man was injured, but police yesterday appealed for help to trace a distinctive blue Ford Fiesta.
A police spokeswoman added: “He was found at about 1.20am on Sunday. He was assisted by members of the public before being taken to Raigmore Hospital where he remains in a serious condition.
“It is understood the injured man may have been in contact with the occupants of a blue Ford Fiesta.”
About 1,000 people shared the police’s original appeal to find the vehicle on social media, with many reporting potential sightings.
Within hours, officers had managed to trace the car, which has white alloy wheels and two white stripes over the bonnet and roof.
They believe the injured man “may have been in contact” with the occupants of the vehicle.
The victim is described as being of large build, and was wearing dark clothing.
Detective Inspector Maggie Miller said: “We are appealing for anyone who saw this vehicle or saw the injured man in the Millburn Road area of Inverness near to the Morrisons Filling Station to get in touch with us on 101.
“The man injured has suffered head injuries and we are carrying out inquiries to establish how he came to be injured.”