The vehicle believed to have been involved in a fatal hit and run accident has been recovered by police.

Specialist officers are now examining the van for clues to the identity to the driver responsible for the death of teenager John Hawes near his Tetsworth home.

The Mercedes 307d box van was found on Wednesday by Aylesbury Traffic Police.

Yesterday, a man from Chinnor voluntarily attended Aylesbury police station. He was released without charge but investigations are continuing.

A large-scale police search was mounted to find the car following the death of Mr Hawes of Milton Common. The 17-year-old died just yards from his front door when he was hit by a passing vehicle on the busy A40 London Road, between Tetsworth and Milton Common, as he walked home from the Three Pigeons pub last Friday night.

Police were alerted after Mr Hawes's badly-mutilated body was spotted by a lorry driver the following morning.

The scene of the accident was subsequently covered with bouquets of flowers and a small wooden plaque inscribed with 'John'.

Anyone with any information is asked to call 01296 396105.

Story date: Friday 16 April

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