A father-of-three died 'protecting a friend' in a fight involving up to fifteen people which raged from street to street.

Clive Johnson, 32, died just yards from Kingsley Primary School and near to where a Take That music video was filmed.

Police discovered Mr Johnson collapsed in the street after the fight, which broke out in Miller Road and then spilled over on to Euston Road, at 8pm last Wednesday.

The father-of-three is thought to have been killed while defending a second man after the mass fight broke out.

He was rushed to Mayday Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

Another man almost lost an ear in the attack.

He was treated for slash wounds to the head and released soon afterward.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “We are a close-knit neighbourhood.

“Everybody knows everyone, which is why this death shocked me. You would have to be foolish if you think you’d get away with it around here.

“I have been told the argument started over drugs and the man who died, Clive Johnson, was apparently defending another man.

“I know it sounds harsh but it’s reassuring to know it wasn’t just a random attack on someone just passing by.”

Mr Johnson’s postmortem examination came back as inconclusive.

A police spokesman said: “There is definite evidence some kind of altercation took place, but the postmortem carried out to uncover the cause of death came back as inconclusive, therefore this death is being treated as suspicious but unexplained at the moment.”

His daughter Scarlet left a floral tribute at the scene of his death reading “Daddy, love you so much.”

Another tribute from Dan Essery and family read: “I am so sorry to hear this sad tragedy has happened to your family.

“No words can compensate your loss of a brother and son and our love goes to his children too. God bless you and may you be at peace.”

Detective Chief Inspector John McFarlane said: “We are open-minded at the moment about this violent, unexplained incident.

“We are exploring a number of different lines of investigation but would urge anyone who saw anything to get in touch.”

Anyone with any information should call the incident room on 020 8721 4205 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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