Motorists drove past man's body (From Witney Gazette)

Motorists drove past man's body

8:03am Friday 29th September 2006 in Witney By Phil Vinter

MOTORISTS drove past the body of a man killed in a suspected hit-and-run accident on the A40 in the early hours of Thursday. The 37-year-old man was struck by a lorry at 5.50am while walking down the A40, in a crash which brought traffic heading into Oxford to a near standstill. The victim, who is yet to be formally identified, was walking in the middle of the A40 near the A34 fly-over, when he was struck by a lorry heading towards Oxford. The man was dragged a few hundred metres down the road, and scenes-of-crimes officers spent Thursday morning investigating the crash scene. Insp Steve Bridges, of Thames Valley Police, said: "I can understand why a few people may not have stopped. It was a very dark road, and there is no street lighting. Perhaps you can give some people the benefit of the doubt that they didn't know what they were driving past. "There may have been drivers who didn't stop - that type of behaviour is appalling. People ought to realise that could have been their relative, their next of kin lying in the road, and we should do more to help people." Two drivers stopped to give what first-aid they could to the injured man, but he later died. On Thursday, police arrested a man on suspicion of failing to stop at the scene of an accident and careless driving. He has been bailed to return on November 18, police said. They also seized a goods vehicle in connection with the investigation. They are still appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash to come forward. Investigating officer, Sgt Dave Milson, said: "We are very keen to speak to motorists who used that stretch of road on Thursday morning, or maybe saw the victim before or after the collision." The A40 between Wolvercote roundabout and Eynsham roundabout was closed from 6am until just after midday on Thursday, while scenes-of-crime officers collected evidence. Rush-hour traffic from the west of Oxfordshire ground to a halt, as motorists were diverted off the A40 through Eynsham to enter Oxford from Botley. The A40 between the Eynsham roundabout and Witney also began to resemble a car park, as motorists queued to get into Eynsham. Instead of the usual 25 minutes, it took some motorists two and a half hours to get from Witney to the city centre. Oxford police spokesman, Kate Smith, asks anyone with information to call the police inquiry line, on 08458 505505, or Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555111.