MOTORISTS who may have witnessed a fatal road accident on the A1(M) in County Durham are urged to help police inquiries.

A pedestrian walking on the northbound carriageway of the motorway died after being struck by a 7.5 tonne lorry, last Friday.

The victim was named yesterday as 29-year-old David Joseph Smith, of Irthing Avenue, in the Walker area of Newcastle.

Police said he appeared to be walking in the nearside lane, about three-quarters of a mile north of the Blind Lane interchange at Chester-le-Street, when the collision took place, involving a lorry also heading northbound.

Mr Smith suffered serious multiple injuries and was confirmed dead on arrival at the University Hospital of North Durham.

The lorry driver, from the Nottinghamshire area, was not hurt, but received treatment at the hospital for severe shock.

The Durham Police accident investigation unit, based at force headquarters, has urged anyone who saw the incident, at about 7.40pm last Friday, to come forward.

They are asked to contact the traffic section, on 0191-386 4929