Former Corio man dies in Tasmania

THE death of a former Corio man on a main road near Devonport Airport in the early hours of yesterday morning is being treated as a tragic accident rather than a hit and run.

Tasmania Police said 21year-old Aiden McHugh, had only relocated from Corio to East Devonport a few weeks ago, and was walking home from a mate’s place at Latrobe when he was struck by a dual-cab ute being driving by a couple on their way to work about 4am.

The couple stopped, thinking they had hit an animal on the road.

They searched the area but could not see what had collided with their vehicle.

Another motorist saw the young man’s body in a ditch after the sun came out about 6am.

The couple who hit the man later heard about a death on the Port Sorell Rd between the Frankford turnoff and the airport roundabout and contacted police about 8am.

They have been interviewed by police and the damage to their car is being analysed.

It is understood the man had been walking with the flow of traffic in dark clothing.

“A whole set of circumstances have come together in a tragic end,” Inspector Kim Steven said.

“When walking on country roads — or those without footpaths — pedestrians should always face the oncoming traffic.”