A pedestrian flung into a field after being struck by a van may have spent hours lying undiscovered before she died.

Noelle Rigden, 44, of Melbourne, near Pocklington, was walking along the B1247, near Pocklington, on a stretch of road known as The Balk when the hit-and-run accident happened.

Police said they could not confirm if she died instantly.

A 29-year-old man, the driver of a Ford Transit van, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and was bailed for six weeks pending further inquiries.

The woman's body was discovered by a motorist in the early hours of yesterday morning and the incident is believed to have happened between 6.30pm and 8.45pm on Saturday night.

Humberside Police said the woman had left a house in nearby Hayton and was walking towards the direction of Pocklington, not far from the Yorkway Motel and Diner on the A1079 Hull road, when she was struck from behind and thrown into the field three miles outside the town.

Sergeant Peter Scott, of Humberside Traffic Police, said: "At the moment we are unable to confirm whether the woman died instantly or during the night in the field.

"We have interviewed a man, but he has been released on bail and in the meantime we would ask any witnesses to come forward."

Officers are particularly keen to speak to any motorists who were driving along the A1079 Hull road near the Yorkway Motel or out further towards Hayton and Market Weighton at the time of the incident. They would like to speak to anyone who saw or was overtaken by a white Transit.

Anyone with information should contact PC Cooper at Humberside Police on 01482 597900.

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