Man dies after struck by two cars

File photo / Hawke's Bay Today

Alcohol and dark clothing are believed to have contributed to the death of a man hit by two vehicles while walking on State Highway One between Timaru and Temuka last night.

The 21-year-old Timaru victim was struck as he was walked along the middle of the road, Sergeant Tristan Murray, of Timaru said.

"He was walking near the centre line in a southerly direction and a northbound vehicle took evasive action and managed to successfully avoid him," Mr Murray said.

But as the woman driver called police on her cellphone the man was struck by two vehicles travelling south. He died at the scene.

Mr Murray said it was believed that the man had been drinking and was wearing dark clothing making it difficult to see him on an unlit part of the road.

Police wanted to hear from anyone who saw two men walking south between Temuka and Washdyke on SH1 before the accident.

- NZPA