POLICE tracing the final steps of a man who died while walking on the M61 motorway hope a mystery woman will hold the key to the investigation.

Gary Wood, aged 30, was killed when he was hit by a Skoda Octavia on the M61 between Rivington North Services and junction six at about 11.20pm on Saturday, March 29.

Police do not know how he came to be walking on the motorway.

Mr Wood, from Blackburn, had been at a Tinie Tempah concert at the O2 Apollo in Manchester earlier that night.

He was seen talking to a woman outside the venue in the smoking area at about 10.15pm — one hour before the crash.

Sgt Lee Westhead, from the police's serious collision investigation unit said: “I would ask the woman to make contact as she may have information that will help us establish Gary’s movements after leaving the concert.

“I must stress that the woman is not in any trouble, we would just like to speak to her.

“We would also like to speak to anyone else who saw or spoke to Gary that night.”

Mr Wood’s family, who paid tribute after his death, described him as being a “loving son, brother, uncle and nephew”.

He loved the outdoors including mountain biking, climbing and going to the gym.


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Anyone with information can call police on 0161 8564741.