A PEDESTRIAN died instantly when he was involved in an accident with a car on the A1(M).

Stephen Ridley, 54, died after the accident at junction 58, close to the Faverdale area of Darlington.

Police are now trying to piece together what happened leading up to the incident, and officers have appealed for more witnesses to come forward.

It is thought Mr Ridley, of Crossfield Road, near Cockerton, Darlington, could have been trying to cross the road while out for a walk at about 9.45pm on Saturday.

The accident, on an unlit section of road, involved a BMW 320 being driven north by a 65-yearold man from Suffolk.

The driver and his wife, who was in the passenger seat, were both treated for shock by paramedics, but were not thought to have suffered serious injuries.

The northbound A1(M) was closed for three hours.

An inquest will be opened today at the coroners’ office in Crook, County Durham.

Witnesses to the incident, or anyone who saw Mr Ridley prior to the accident, are asked to call 0191-375-2159.

In September 2004, a 25-yearold mother-of-one died near the scene of Saturday’s tragedy. At her inquest, the stretch of road was described as notoriously dangerous.

In February 2006, a 23-year-old soldier from Bristol died as he crossed the northbound carriageway near where Mr Ridley died.