AN inquest opened yesterday into the death of a pedestrian who was knocked down while walking on the A1(M) after dark.

David Joseph Smith, 29, of Irthing Avenue, Walker, Newcastle, was confirmed dead at the University Hospital of North Durham, Durham City, where he was taken suffering serious multiple injuries following the accident last Friday.

He was involved in a collision with a white box van, three-quarters of a mile north of the Blind Lane interchange, at Chester-le-Street.

Mr Smith is understood to have been walking northwards on the nearside lane, when the accident took place at 7.40pm.

The van driver, a 46-year-old man from the Mansfield area of Nottinghamshire, was unhurt, but was treated at the hospital for shock.

He was also travelling northbound on the stretch of motorway between Chester-le-Street and Washington.

The accident led to the closure of the northbound carriageway for the following four hours.

North Durham coroner Andrew Tweddle adjourned the hearing pending further investigations, allowing the family to make funeral arrangements.

The hearing will resume once police accident investigators conclude their findings. An appeal has been made to anyone who saw Mr Smith walking on the A1(M), or who witnessed the collision.

They are asked to call Durham police accident investigation unit, on 0191-386 4929.