A family was today mourning the death of a man who was hit by a car as he sat in the middle of a busy road.

The 30-year-old man from the Rayleigh area was believed to have been drinking with friends in the Brookside Tavern, in Rayleigh Road, Eastwood, on Saturday evening.

At just before midnight the man was sat in Rayleigh Road at the junction with Grovewood Avenue when he was hit by a Ford Escort.

The driver did not stop but the car was later discovered in Southend and the driver traced by police.

It is thought the driver did not know she had hit someone. The victim suffered multiple injuries and was taken to Southend Hospital but he died shortly after arrival.

Sgt Steve Langdon, of Rayleigh traffic unit, said: "We believe the man had been drinking in the Brookside Tavern with friends.

"On the way back the victim decided to sit down in the middle of the road. His friend then tried to act as a traffic cone by diverting cars out of his way." Police were alerted by the friend and both they and ambulance crews raced to the scene.

Sgt Langdon added: "The car - a blue Ford Escort - was recovered in Southend and we have traced and interviewed a 28-year-old woman. "We don't believe at this stage the woman knew she had hit the man."

Last night floral tributes had started to pile up by the spot where the man died.

Police are anxious to hear from any of the drivers who drove around the victim as he sat in the road, or any other witnesses. Call PC Mark Adderly at Rayleigh traffic police on 01268 775533.

(left) Tributes - flowers mark the spot where the man was fatally injured and, (right), the scene near Grovewood Avenue where the accident happened

Pictures: MAXINE CLARKE

By James Howell

Reporter's e-mail: james.howell@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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