POLICE are renewing their appeal for witnesses to a road traffic accident that led to the death of a pensioner.

William Wright, 77, from South Moor, in Stanley, was struck by a LandRover Freelander as he tried to cross the A693 in New Kyo at 4.25pm on Thursday.

He received multiple injuries and despite undergoing emergency surgery at the University Hospital of North Durham he was certified dead later that evening.

The driver of the car, a 32-year-old man from Consett, was unhurt.

Police are seeking information from anyone who might have seen the gold Freelander in the minutes immediately before the accident.

It had been driven from the Consett area along the A691, then up Maiden Law bank before it turned right on to the A693.

Officers from the accident investigation unit are placing information boards at the scene today in the hope of bringing forward potential witnesses.

PC Ian Haigh said: "It seems clear, from the people we have spoken to so far, that there must be a number of other witnesses.

"These may have seen either the collision itself or the manner in which the Freelander was being driven before it hit Mr Wright."

Anyone with information is asked to ring the unit on 0191-375 2159.