Man found dead by major A-road was struck by lorry

A factory worker found dead by the side of a major A-road died of a severe head injury after being struck by a lorry, an inquest has heard.

Nerijus Vysniauskas, 26, was discovered beside the A47 near King's Lynn, at about 09:20 GMT on 2 December 2024.

Drivers told Norfolk Coroner's Court they had earlier seen a pedestrian in dark clothing walking with their back to traffic on a narrow verge next to the unlit carriageway. One witness said they had to swerve to avoid him.

Plastic fragments from a lorry were found next to Vysniauskas' body. A man in his 60s was arrested in Reading, Berkshire, with the case against him later dropped.

In a statement read in court, lorry driver Dean Sprot said he had been "utterly shocked" and told police he had not seen anyone on the road.

He could not explain why he stopped his vehicle shortly after the collision but said it was common for him to to do so, to go to the toilet or check the load.

He denied that he had stopped because he felt that he had hit something.

Sprot's legal representative asked PC Sophia Richards whether or not it was possible for Sprot to have struck Vysniauskas without realising.

Richards said: "It is possible."

The court was shown police analysis of reaction times which suggested it was unlikely that Sprot could have avoided Vysniauskas, even if he had seen him.

Vysniauskas was born in Lithuania and had been living in Gaywood, King's Lynn, the court heard.

Analysis of his blood showed he was above the drink-drive limit and had taken methadone.

Assistant Coroner Christopher Leach concluded that he died as a result of a road traffic collision.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.