Brian Plimmer chased two youths on to the busy A38 dual carriageway in Derby after they had snatched the bag from his car parked in nearby Markeaton Park.

The youths escaped on bicycles shortly after 1930 BST on Saturday.

As the 42-year-old man crossed the southbound carriageway he suffered serious head injuries in a collision with a Land Rover.

Thieves chased

Mr Plimmer, from Buxton, was taken to Derby Royal Infirmary suffering from fractured ribs, head injuries and severe grazing.

He had been packing up with his partner Nina Lubman after running a vegetarian mobile restaurant at Eco-Fest, a council-run environmental fair.

A Derbyshire Police spokesman said Mr Plimmer chased the youths across Markeaton Park after they took the bag from the car.

"The two youths crossed the A38 safely.

"However, the male in search of the youths crossed the northbound carriageway to the central reservation.

"When crossing the southbound carriageway he was struck by a vehicle and received serious injuries."