Published: Monday, 2nd June, 2008 4:27pm

Arrest after man dies in mysterious road crash

by Annabel Williams

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A TEENAGER has been arrested after a man was found dead in the front garden of a house in Reading.

The body of 28-year-old Ryan Batt was discovered by police officers at 5.15am yesterday (Sunday) in the garden in Shinfield Road.

The officers were responding to a report that a silver Vauxhall Astra had been abandoned in suspicious circumstances at a nearby garage block, and a man seen walking away from the car.

While searching for the man, officers came across debris in the road from a recent collision. Searching further, they found Mr Batt, from Reading, dead in the garden.

The arrested 18-year-old is in custody at Reading police station.

Police want to speak to the driver of a black taxi cab who is believed to have stopped at the scene to check on the well-being of the Astra motorist, unaware of what had happened.

Police are also keen to trace the driver of a yellow flat-bed truck which is also believed to have been in the area at the time.

Insp Jim Strachan, of Thames Valley Police Roads Policing Department, said: "Although we have made an arrest we are still actively trying to trace witnesses.

"We are particularly keen to contact the black cab driver as he is likely to have evidence that is vital to the investigation."

The victim's family have been informed but a formal identification has yet to take place.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Insp Strachan via Thames Valley Police's enquiry centre on 08458 505 505 quoting URN 406 1/6/08.

If you don't want to speak to police and don't want to leave your name contact charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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