Patient who died on A47 may have got a lift from hospital

Lee West suffered multiple traumatic injuries after he was hit by consecutive cars while wandering between two lanes of traffic on the dual carriageway at Witton, near Norwich. 

The collision happened shortly before 10pm on January 20 and officers believe that a member of the public may have given Mr West a lift from Links Road in Mundesley to Postwick between 8pm and 8.30pm that evening. 

An inquest into his death opened on February 2 and the court was told that Mr West was missing from Southern Hill Hospital in Mundesley at the time. 

Southern Hill Hospital in Mundesley (Image: Geraldine Scott)The inquest was then adjourned to allow the circumstances surrounding his death to be fully investigated. 

Following the short hearing, his father, also called Lee West, spoke of his fury that the tragedy had been allowed to happen. 

Mr West Snr said his son had been sectioned under section 2 of the Mental Health Act two weeks earlier - but it was not until his death that he learned where his son had been, assuming he had instead been staying with his mother. 

Victoria Hare, hospital director at Southern Hill, said the hospital was unable to comment on the case due to confidentiality and the ongoing inquest process. 

She added: "Our thoughts are with Mr West's family in this tragic incident." 

Lee West was described by his father as a polite, considerate and sweet person (Image: Lee West)Mr West Snr described his son, who grew up in Colchester, as a “polite, considerate and sweet person” and that “everybody who came into contact with him would say that very same thing”. 

Police are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen Mr West Jnr in Mundesley or Postwick or anyone who may have driven him between the two locations.  

Anyone who has any information is asked to get in touch with Norfolk Constabulary quoting reference NC-20012024-456. 

A full inquest is scheduled to take place in November, which is due to last for nine days.