'Man killed as he walked across M4'

A MAN died after being hit by a car as he “casually” walked across a motorway.

- CONOR GOGARTY

Thavarajah Sasikaran, 41, appeared “oblivious” to his surroundings as he attempted to cross the westbound carriageway of the M4 in Swansea, an inquest heard.

Mr Sasikaran - referred to as Sasi during the Swansea Coroner's Court hearing - had been admitted to Morriston hospital with symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal at 4.30pm on February 17, 2022, before leaving the hospital at around 8pm the following day.

Just over half an hour later, he was hit by a Nissan Qashqai between junctions 46 (Llangyfelach) and 47 (Penllergaer) of the M4. A South Wales Police investigation found the driver was blameless.

On the opening day of the inquest, coroner Aled Wyn Gruffydd said he would consider issues including Sasi's care at the hospital and whether it had been safe for him to be discharged.

Sasi had a happy childhood in Sri Lanka before moving to the UK at the age of 20, said his brother, Thavarajah Shanthakumaran, in a statement.