Appeal to hitchhiker after man hit by lorry dies

Police are appealing for a hitchhiker to come forward after the death of a man who was hit by a lorry near a Worcestershire motorway junction.

Officers were called to the A38 Rashwood roundabout in the area of junction 5 of the M5 for Wychbold on Thursday evening, following a report of an overturned lorry.

The 63-year-old pedestrian died at the scene. A man aged 47, who was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving, has been released under investigation.

West Mercia Police said it urged a man hitchhiking on the northbound slip road to come forward, as he may have seen the pedestrian "shortly beforehand and could hold vital information".

The force said it was called to the roundabout shortly before 21:00 BST, following the report of the overturned lorry.

Police said it was discovered a pedestrian was also involved and, despite the best efforts of emergency services, he died at the scene.

The collision happened on the roundabout, just before the motorway bridge and past the northbound slip road to the M5, prior to rejoining the A38 towards Bromsgrove.

Det Con Paul Bosley stated police were particularly keen to hear from anyone who saw the pedestrian walking along the A38 towards the motorway roundabout and especially anyone who saw him on or around the roundabout.

"We would also like to speak to anyone who saw a heavy goods vehicle travelling along the A38 from Droitwich towards the roundabout, described as having a white cab and a green curtain-sided trailer with white writing on the side."

Bosley added the force was especially keen to hear from anybody who may have seen the collision, but was unable to stop due to the location.

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