A murder investigation has been launched after a 52-year-old man was hit by a car in Leytonstone, east London.

The collision appears to be “a deliberate act by the driver of the car” after an earlier altercation, the Metropolitan Police said.

Two men were hit by the vehicle in High Road in the early hours of Sunday, the force said.

The 52-year-old died in hospital at 5.18pm on Sunday, while a 32-year-old remains in hospital with serious but non life-threatening injuries.

Detective chief inspector Mark Wrigley, leading the investigation, said: “At this early stage, it appears that this was a deliberate act by the driver of the car.

“There had been an altercation in the street prior to this incident and I am appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information who has not yet come forward to contact police.”