THE A19 was closed for several hours after a man was killed when he fell from a bridge overhead and hit a petrol tanker.

Cleveland Police thanked all motorists for their patience, understanding and co-operation while they dealt with the death of the man who was seen to fall from the Hilton overbridge just after 9.35am yesterday morning. (Sunday, August 30).

A police spokesman said: "We were contacted by passing motorists with concerns for a person seen to fall from the A19 southbound near Crathorne.

"Emergency services attended the location and sadly discovered the body of a man nearby. The A19 was closed in both directions – southbound from the A174 Parkway and northbound from the A67 to allow investigations to begin.

"Initial inquiries would suggest there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding this tragic incident and our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends, as well as those motorists who were present at the time. Formal identification will take place and his family will be supported by specially trained officers.

"We would also like to thank again all those motorists who are or have been affected by the ongoing road closures; we appreciate their understanding and co-operation."

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward. They have already spoken to a number of witnesses, but they believe there are other people who have not spoken to officers.

Anyone who was in that area at the time and who saw what happened, but has not had chance to speak to police, is urged to do so as soon as possible. Contact PC Tina Lackenby at the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit via the non emergency number 101, quoting Event 151690.