Police are appealing for a “significant” witness to a fatal car crash to come forward.

Officers want to speak to the man who they believe has key information about the crash in Rainham involving Hassan Sheikh, 21, of Bengal Road, Ilford, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police were called at about 1.55pm on Wednesday, 1 July, to reports of a Toyota Yaris in collision with the central reservation on the A13.

Officers found Hassan collapsed at the scene. The London Ambulance Service attended but he was pronounced dead at 2.42pm.

A male passenger was taken to hospital with leg injuries – he remains in hospital.

Det Sgt Stuart Henson said: “This is an extremely serious and tragic incident. I am particularly keen to locate the witness who remained on the hard shoulder for over 20 minutes before driving off along the A13 towards London.

“This witness, believed to be a man aged approximately between 40 and 60 years, was driving a light coloured vehicle – possibly silver or beige – between the Yaris and a lorry, close to the time of the collision.”

Anyone who witnessed the collision should contact officers on 020 8597 4874.