A man has been killed in a collision with a car as he walked along an unlit Shropshire road.

The pedestrian, believed to be in his 50s, died at the scene of the collision on the B4397, between Ruyton-XI-Towns and Shotatton crossroads, at about 9.20pm yesterday.

It comes as tributes were paid by staff at RAF Shawbury following the death of Pat Lane, a chief ground instructor, in a three-car crash near Longdon on Tern yesterday morning.

The man who died last night is believed to be from the Oswestry area.

He was struck by a black Ford Fiesta. The woman driver was uninjured, but treated for shock.

Constable Colin McCracken said: “The man was walking from Ruyton-XI-Towns in the direction of Shotatton crossroads and the black Ford Fiesta was travelling in the same direction, approaching from behind the pedestrian.

“The man was wearing a red Helly Hansen top and it seems he had walked from Ruyton-XI-Towns. The road is unlit without pavements and it is possible drivers may have seen him walking along before the collision from about 8.30pm onwards.

“I would appeal to anyone who spotted him to please call me at Oswestry police station on 0300 333 3000.”

He added he wanted to trace the driver of a white Transit-type van who is believed to have stopped and spoken to the man earlier.

Meanwhile, Fred Clarke, FB Heliservices base manager, whom Mr Lane, of Dothill, Wellington, worked for, said they were shocked by his death.

He said: “Pat was a consummate professional with a remarkable zest for life and will be sorely missed.”

Group Captain Jock Brown, commandant at the Defence Helicopter Flying School, said: “The loss of such a key member of our close-knit team has come as a great shock.”

He added: “He has moulded and shaped so many young airmen and women and his passing will be felt deeply by them all.

“Our thoughts are now with the family members he has left behind and in supporting them through this most emotional of times.

“Pat taught me so much over the years and I will miss him greatly as a colleague, a mentor and a true friend who will remain in all our hearts.”

By Suzanne Roberts and Lisa Rowley