MYSTERY remains over the death of man who was run over while lying in a dark rural road.

Madura Rajakaruna-Hewage, known to his family as Raj, died after being struck by a white BMW on the A424 from Burford towards Stow-on-the-Wold.

It happened on April 1 after multiple witnesses saw the 42-year-old, of no fixed address, walking towards Burford.

An inquest at Oxford Coroner’s Court today heard how a number of drivers had seen Mr Rajakaruna-Hewage walking along the verge attempting to hitch hike.

A number of drivers reported having to swerve when he was later seen walking in the middle of the 60mph road, before later being seen lying face down in the road with his head in his hands.

At this point, about 1.50am, one driver pulled over to help, but whilst on the phone to police witnessed a car hit Mr Rajakaruna-Hewage.

Assistant coroner for Oxfordshire Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp said: “The only real facts we do know is the cause of death from the pathologist [multiple injuries] and that the BMW ran over Mr Rajakaruna-Hewage. It is likely the injuries sustained at that point were the contributing factor of death.

Adding: “How he got there, how he got to be in that position, we’ll never know.”

The conclusion was road traffic collision.