Police have launched a desperate appeal for witnesses to a horrific road accident which claimed the life of a young man.

Lai Koon Yee, 23, was killed as he attempted to cross the A127 at Prince Avenue, near the junction with Hobleythick Lane in Westcliff, just after midnight on January 29.

He was in collision with a Mini, police said.

However, a spokesman was keen to trace a group of people who may have information about the car involved in the accident.

She said: "Officers are keen to speak to a group of pedestrians who were waiting for a bus in Victoria Avenue, Southend, at 11.55pm on Tuesday, January 29.

"CCTV footage shows several men and women at the bus shelter outside the Customs and Excise building having to take evasive action as a red and white coloured Mini headed towards them."

Just minutes later the car is said to have struck the 23-year-old but failed to stop.

Published Tuesday, February 19, 2002