Hit-and-run hunt

POLICE investigating the death of a young man are desperate to find who was driving this lorry on Saturday night.

The lorry, say police, struck the man causing fatal injuries on the A603 in Moggerhanger close to the Hatch turn at just after 8pm on Saturday.

Within an hour, following information from motorists, officers found the lorry that had been abandoned in Myers Road, Potton, near to a caravan site.

Debris from the scene of the tragedy matched damage found on the Leyland DAF drop-side lorry that has a hydraulic grab on the back.

Investigating officers say the man, who was discovered dying from his injuries on the grass verge by a motorist, had been walking along the side of the busy road from Sandy probably returning to an address in Bedford.

Richard Guymer, 23, of Foxglove Way, Bedford, was taken to Bedford Hospital South Wing where he died of a broken spine.

Police have made inquiries in the Potton area all this week, including at the travellers' caravan site, to try and identify the driver of the Leyland DAF lorry.

Officers also discovered the vehicle's cab had been wiped clean inside to try and remove any identification marks.

"Our inquiries continue into this tragedy in Potton and other areas to find who was driving this vehicle," said a police spokesman.

Police are now appealing to anyone who might have seen the distinctive lorry either in Potton or the surrounding area on Saturday night to contact them immediately.

Pc Debbie James, from Bedford Constabulary collision investigation unit, said: "While we've since recovered the truck which was involved in the incident, we have so far been unable to identify the person who was driving it at the time.

"I would urge anyone who remembers seeing it being driven on Saturday, before or after the collision, to contact the police as a matter of urgency."

Anyone with information about the driver should contact Pc Jon Smith at the collision investigation unit on 01234 842469 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.