A man killed on the A303 slip road shortly before Christmas has been named after an inquest was opened into his death.

Jason Paul Lucas, known as Jay, is suspected to have been hit by a large goods vehicle in the early hours of Tuesday, December 22.

Police were called at 2:27am to the eastbound slip road for the A303, but could not save him, with the 53-year-old being pronounced dead at the scene.

Friends paid tribute on Facebook, with one saying it was “such a shame” and bemoaning the inability to celebrate Jason’s life due to Covid restrictions.

An inquest into Jason’s death was opened on January 4 at Winchester Coroner’s Court, and was adjourned on the same day. Coroners have a duty to investigate any death where the cause of death is unknown, or is “unnatural or violent.”

Investigations will now take place on behalf of the coroner to look into the circumstances surrounding Jason’s death, and find a cause for it.

The A303 was closed for around eight hours on December 22 following his body being found, with the road reopening at around 10:30am.

Flowers were subsequently placed at the scene, while residents of Picket Twenty said that they were “shocked” by the news.

Police appealed for witnesses for his death, saying that they “are keen to hear from anyone who saw what happened, or anyone with dash-cam footage that may assist our investigation.”

They asked anyone with information into the death to phone 101 and quote reference 128 for December 22.

Once investigation work has been carried out by the coroner, the inquest into Jason’s death will be held on October 14, 2021.