POLICE have named the pedestrian who died on the M6 motorway in Cumbria on Tuesday as a 48-year-old Chorley man.

John Lewis, 48, of Canal Walk, was seen walking on the southbound carriageway of the M6 just before 4.30am before he collided with a number of vehicles.

The M6 southbound was closed between junctions 44 and 43 with diversions in place through Carlisle until the motorway was reopened at 12.30pm.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident that they are treating as a fail to stop road traffic collision.

Roads Policing Inspector Andy Wilkinson said: “Since the collision, we have managed to trace a number of vehicles that were involved and are treating the motorists as key witnesses.

"Our focus is now firmly on establishing the circumstances that led Mr Lewis to be on the carriageway and we believe that there will be other people who were driving between Junction 44 and 43 during the early hours of Tuesday morning that will hold key information that can help us find answers.

“If anyone was driving along that route and saw a man walking close to the motorway we really need to hear from you.

"We also found car keys at the scene which may have been connected to Mr Lewis so a search is ongoing for any abandoned vehicles in the area.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Cumbria’s Roads Policing Unit on 0845 33 00 247.

Mr Lewis’ family and the local coroner have been informed.