A PEDESTRIAN has died in a rush-hour crash which blocked a major route out of York for most of yesterday evening.

Several vehicles hit the man as he was walking shortly after dark on the A166 near Dunnington.

North Yorkshire Police do not know why he was on the busy road at about 5.30pm and are appealing for witnesses who can help them investigate events leading up to it and discover why it occurred.

The man, who is from the York area, was on the northbound side of the carriageway at the peak of the evening rush hour when he was hit repeatedly at the A166 Stamford Bridge Road near its junction with Church Balk, which leads to Dunnington.

Sergeant Pete Wood said: “The road will have been dark and busy at around 5.15–5.30pm and we are appealing for anyone who saw a pedestrian in the road or at the side of the road during that time or anyone who witnessed the actual collision to contact us.

“Tragically, the man has been hit by more than one vehicle and we need to establish if there are any other motorists who may have been involved without realising. I am therefore appealing for any other motorists travelling on the A166 at the time of the collision who believes they could be involved, to also get in touch.”

The A166 was immediately closed and remained closed between Church Balk and Straight Lane for several hours while police accident investigators and officers carried out careful examinations of the scene and carried out other work. Diversions are still in place.

The man’s next of kin have been informed, but police have yet to release his identity. Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference number 0331 of October 30, or to e-mail Sgt Wood on peter.wood@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk