POLICE have made a fresh appeal for witnesses following the death of a motorcyclist on the A1(M) at Stevenage. Benjamin Allmond, 23, from Lincoln, died at the southbound slip road of junction 7 when his red Honda motorcycle crashed into the rear of a Merc

POLICE have made a fresh appeal for witnesses following the death of a motorcyclist on the A1(M) at Stevenage.

Benjamin Allmond, 23, from Lincoln, died at the southbound slip road of junction 7 when his red Honda motorcycle crashed into the rear of a Mercedes Vito van on Monday, June 19.

The investigation into the tragedy is being carried out by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and Bedfordshire police.

Investigators particularly want to speak to the driver of a dark Ford Mondeo who may have witnessed the crash. The driver was among around 80 who may have seen the collision but so far police have not had any witnesses come forward.

This week the investigating panel said Hertfordshire police vehicles had requested Mr Allmond to stop because he had been travelling at "excessive speed", but still maintained that no police pursuit took place.

IPCC deputy chairman John Wadham said: "It is disappointing nobody has come forward who may have seen the collision or the Mercedes van on the slip road.

"It was a Monday morning rush hour just before 8.30am on the southbound carriageway. These witnesses would have been travelling in vehicles not held up in the collision.

"Motorists would have been between where the A1(M) was closed by a police 4x4 and the point of the collision.

"Most of these drivers must have come to a stop at the time or were very slow moving. Some must have seen the crash or at least the silver van moving onto the slip road.

"They might have seen the marked Vauxhall Omega police car stopped at the side of the road before the incident."

Investigators believe many of the drivers would have been going to work in Stevenage.

Anybody who witnessed the collision, or may be able to help the investigation, should call the Bedfordshire police collision investigation unit at Bedford on 01234 842469 or email enquiries@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk