Police name hitchhiker struck by truck

Police have named a Dunedin hitchhiker who was struck and killed by a truck in North Otago on Wednesday night.

Norman Bruce Thompson, 36, died at the scene of the crash on State Highway 1 in Hampden, 37km southwest of Oamaru, about 11.58pm.

Sergeant Tony Woodbridge of Oamaru police said he had hitchhiked from Dunedin to Palmerston, where he was believed to have been visiting friends and family.

He then hitchhiked to Hampden, and may have intended to continue on to Christchurch to visit a relative.

"We're still putting together statements from witnesses and friends who saw the deceased prior to the incident happening," Mr Woodbridge said.

Police would like to hear from anyone who picked up a hitchhiker from Dunedin or Palmerston on Wednesday.

They were speaking to the drivers of a car and a small to medium commercial truck that stopped at the scene. The vehicles were being examined.

One lane of SH1 was closed until yesterday evening while serious crash investigators examined the scene.

It was too soon to say whether charges would be laid.

- NZPA