POLICE are appealing for help in identifying a man who died in a collision with a lorry on the M42 near Alvechurch in North Worcestershire on Monday, December 16.

Officers have not yet been able to identify the man who was on foot when he was in collision with a Heavy Goods Vehicle on the northbound carriageway between Junctions 2 and 3 at about 10.15pm.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police believe he may be a man in his 40s who had been living in a hostel in the Sparkhill or Acocks Green area of Birmingham.

A man had recently signed on as a patient at a local medical practice, but failed to turn up for an appointment.

The man had told staff he was born in France and spoke Arabic. There is also a suggestion that he may have previously lived in Wales, and that he worked as a chef.

PC Jim Alcock of the Central Motorway Police Group said: “We have a possible name and have made checks with various hostels but none of the staff recognise the name or description and no-one has been reported missing.

“We do not know what the man was doing walking alongside the motorway, and, if he was living in Sparkhill or Acocks Green, how he got there, as it is at least four or five miles away.

“At the moment it is a complete mystery as to who he is and why he was on the motorway. Somewhere he must have family, friends or colleagues who are wondering where he is.”

Witnesses to the collision or anyone with information about who the man is can call police on 0121 626 1285.