Police appeal to driver involved in fatal Shropshire crash

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson, the officer leading the investigation, also appealed to the driver of the vehicle involved in the collision to get touch as a matter of urgency.

The 61-year-old man was cycling home along the A49 to Bayston Hill from his place of work in Church Stretton when's it's believed he was struck by a passing vehicle. His body was found on the roadside verge by a tractor driver shortly 5am yesterday.

A major police investigation is underway to trace the driver of the vehicle and DCI Jamieson said significant progress was made yesterday in the hours following the incident.

He said: "Our inquiries are continuing to obtain as much evidence as possible and a picture of the circumstances is beginning to emerge.

"However, I am making a direct appeal to the driver of the vehicle involved to contact us as soon as possible to assist in establishing exactly what happened. Please contact Shrewsbury police station on 101 and quote the incident reference number, 0063s230614."

DCI Jamieson said the cyclist, who has yet to be formally identified, had set off from his workplace in Church Stretton at around 3am yesterday.

"Everything points to him being hit by a vehicle from behind. The collision happened on the A49 between Leebotwood and Dorrington, halfway along the straight stretch after the turning to Acton Burnell and before the bridge over the railway line," he added.

"We estimate it happened around 3.30am to 4am. It is vital we speak to anyone who may have seen the cyclist, who was wearing a fluorescent jacket, prior to the collision. As such, I am keen to identify anyone travelling along that stretch of road in either direction between 3am and 5am."

In particular, DCI Jamieson is anxious to trace two lorry drivers known to have travelled along the A49 through Dorrington and Bayston Hill at that time.

"From the extensive enquiries carried out yesterday, including viewing various CCTV footage, we know that in particular, there were two heavy goods vehicles travelling along that road in the same direction as the cyclist. We believe they were red or orange in colour and that they overtook a tractor at Marshbrook to the south of the collision scene. I urge the drivers to contact us."

A post mortem is being carried out today by a Home Office pathologist and an inquest will be opened by the Shropshire coroner in due course.

DCI Jamieson added: "This is a distressing and tragic incident and it is important we trace the driver of the vehicle involved as soon as possible to help us establish the full circumstances."