A MAN has died after he was hit by a car whilst at a layby on the A12.

Police are appealing for information following the fatal crash on the A12 near Colchester last night.

It happened on the northbound stretch near Dedham at around 9.45pm.

A man in his 50s had left his vehicle, which was parked in a layby, and was then in collision with at least one vehicle on the carriageway.

Sadly, he died at the scene.

No-one has been arrested and the road was closed until around 3am while officers investigated.

Detective Inspector Scott Egerton, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “A man has died and it is very important we are able to establish what happened.

“We are keen to find out what led up to this incident and how the victim came to be on the carriageway.

“We want anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has any dash cam footage of it to come forward.”

If you saw the incident, what led up to it, or have any dash cam footage, contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or email collision.appeal@essex.pnn.police.uk.

UPDATE: The ambulance service attended the scene.

They said: "We were called at 9.50pm to reports of a road traffic collision between a vehicle and pedestrian on the A12 northbound near Stratford St Mary.

"Two rapid response vehicles, an ambulance and ambulance officer attended.

"Sadly one person died at the scene. No other patients were treated."