A PEDESTRIAN who died after being struck by a bus has been named ahead of his inquest.

Howard Stalker died at around 11.45pm on October 20 after he was hit by a bus on Great Knollys Street, near the headquarters of Reading Buses.

An inquest into the death of the 51-year-old, from Thames & Kennet Marina, was opened today by the Berkshire Coroner's Office.

The driver of the bus stopped at the scene and was not injured. No passengers were on the bus at the time of the incident.

It was the first of two fatal collisions to happen in the town centre within an hour.

A 44-year-old woman, identified as Karen Dance, from Grovelands Road, was hit by a Range Rover on the slip road of the IDR at around 12.45am.

A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by driving without due care/consideration while over specified limit of a controlled drug.

He has been released under investigation.

Thames Valley Police has launched an investigation into the bus crash and officers are appealing for witnesses and information.

Great Knollys Street was closed while emergency services attended the scene and the road reopened at around 4am.

An investigation in to the collision is being carried out by Roads Policing officers.

Investigating officer Sergeant Andrew Fordyce, from the Joint Operations Unit for Roads Policing based at Three Mile Cross, said: “I would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision or anyone who saw the vehicle or pedestrian before the collision.

"Anyone who has any information which could help to establish the circumstances should contact police.”

If you have any information relating to this case, please call 101 quoting reference 'URN 1893 20/10', or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.

A date for the full hearing has not yet been determined.