A PEDESTRIAN who died in a road accident on the outskirts of Barnard Castle has been named as 47-year-old Michael Beadle.

Mr Beadle, of Dale View, Middleton-in-Teesdale, is believed to have been walking out of town towards Eggleston along the B6278 when he was struck by a car, which was heading in the same direction.

The accident happened at about 10.20pm on Friday, December 20, and Mr Beadle died at the scene as a result of the injuries he sustained.

Sgt Jon Curtis, of Durham Police, appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen Mr Beadle in the hours leading up to the incident.

“He was wearing dark trousers and a black coat.”

Sgt Curtis added: “At the time, it was raining quite heavily and there were high winds, so it is probable that anyone out in these conditions would be wet and windswept.

“It is also a possibility there were other pedestrians in that area immediately prior to the collision.”

Sgt Curtis said police were particularly interested in speaking to a man also seen walking along the B6278 at about 10pm.

“This man was wearing a grey jumper and was walking away from Barnard Castle,” he added.

Police say the vehicle involved in the accident was a green Renault Clio. There were three people in the car, a woman driver and two male passngers.

The front seat passenger suffered minor facial injuries in the incident. He was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital and released after treatment.

Anyone with information about the accident should contact Durham Police on 101 and ask for the collision investigation unit.