Police have released more details after a man’s body was found 34 hours after a “minor collision” on the M1 near Watford.

The force had said they found him at around 2.30pm on Monday, December 4, after he was struck by a vehicle “sometime” between then and 4.30am the previous day.

But at the time Detective Inspector Garry Webb also said “we believe a number of cars stopped when the collision occurred”.

Herts Police have since told the Watford Observer that the man’s vehicle is believed to have been hit by another vehicle, which didn’t stop at the scene, during a “minor collision” at 4.30am on Sunday. But officers are still trying to establish what happened between then and when his body was found.

A force spokesperson said: “We are aware that the man was involved in a minor collision at around 4.30am on Sunday.

“It is believed that vehicles briefly stopped at this time.

“However, we are working to establish what happened to the man afterwards when he exited his vehicle.

“We are keeping the timeframe wide to appeal to any witnesses who saw the man before his body was sadly found at 2.30pm on Monday.”

No arrests have been made, they added.

The man, who is from London and in his 40s, was found by officers close to the hard shoulder of the northbound carriageway between junctions 4 and 5.

During the initial police appeal, DI Webb said they were “particularly keen to hear from the driver of a white Mercedes”.

The road was closed while investigations took place before being reopened at around 8.30pm the same day.

“Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this terrible time,” DI Webb added. “Specially trained officers are supporting their family.

“We want to hear from anybody who saw what happened or has information that can help. If you were driving along the M1 and have a dash cam, please check it and get in touch if you spot something that might help our investigation.”