POLICE are seeking information from witnesses as they try to account for the movements of a pedestrian before his death in a bizarre A1(M) accident.

Mark Bambrick got out of a taxi he was travelling in, southbound between Chester-le-Street and Durham, then reportedly ran across both sides of the dual carriageway before the collision with a car transporter.

The 36-year-old from Otterburn Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle, was pronounced dead at the scene, on the southbound inside lane, shortly after 7pm on Monday (DECEMBER 17).

Police accident investigators have asked any motorist or passenger in vehicles using the A1(M) either side of junction 63, at Chester-le-Street, between 6.50 and 7.05pm on Monday, to come forward as part of their inquiries into the tragedy.

PC Nigel Craig, from Durham Police’s collision investigation unit, said the incident took place approximately half-a-mile south of the Blind Lane interchange, at Chester-le-Street.

He said the man involved was travelling south in a taxi when he possibly feigned illness or injury.

“Because of this the driver pulled over onto the hard shoulder to help him,” he said.

PC Craig said the passenger got out, ran up the hard shoulder, then crossed both carriageways and the central reservation.

He added: “Several other vehicles travelling both ways avoided him.

“He was in collision with the car transporter and, unfortunately, he did die from his injuries.”

PC Craig said it is not known why the man was behaving as he did, adding: “There is no crossing point at that location.

“Pedestrians in these circumstances aren’t allowed on the motorway, so it is unusual in that respect.

“At this moment we don’t know why he’s come across the ‘illness’ or why he wanted to alight from the taxi.

“We can’t explain, at this time, his reasons for crossing the carriageway, not once, but twice.”

Both sides of the A1(M) were closed between junctions 63 and 62, from Chester-le-Street to Carrville, near Durham, for four hours following the accident.

The transporter involved was slightly damaged in the collision and the driver suffered shock, but did not require medical treatment.

Anyone with information about the accident is asked to ring 101, and ask for the force collision investigation unit.