Police have launched a murder probe into the death of young man who died after being beaten and mowed down by a BMW in a car park.

The 23-year-old died in hospital less than 24 hours after the driver of a white BMW ploughed into him outside a retail park in Finchley on Wednesday night.

Scotland Yard said the victim was assaulted during a fight involving a number of people before the car was deliberately driven into him in the Great North Leisure Centre Park near Finchley High Road.

He was taken by London’s Air Ambulance to an east London hospital after police and medics were called to the scene at 8.35pm.

Police said he was pronounced dead in hospital on Tuesday afternoon at 6pm.

A Met Police spokesman said: “The car - a white BMW - was abandoned at the location but the driver and passenger fled the scene heading towards Finchley High Road. Enquiries continue to trace the driver of the BMW and any other people involved in the incident.”

The man’s next of kin have been informed and formal identification and a post-mortem will be scheduled in due course.

Detective Inspector John Marriott said: "This horrific attack occurred in the midst of half term and there would have been a number of people who would have been in the vicinity having enjoyed the facilities at the leisure centre.

"Our enquiries lead us to believe that a number of people may have filmed part or all of the attack; this is now a murder investigation and I would implore those that did film this incident to provide any footage they have. The information you hold could be key to establishing the full circumstances which led to this young man's death."

No arrests have been made.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8345 1570, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via Twitter @MetCC.