Man accused of paedophilia died of multiple injuries on M4

A man who was confronted by paedophile hunters in an online sting died on a motorway from multiple injuries, an inquest heard on its opening day.

Adrian Smith, 48, was struck by several vehicles, the inquest was told.

Mr Smith, from Chipping Sodbury in South Gloucestershire, had been accused of paedophilia during a livestream run by self-proclaimed "child protection service groups" on 21 February.

He was arrested that night and released on bail the next day without any charges. Avon Coroners' Court heard he was found dead hours later on the M4 north of Bristol.

Avon and Somerset Police said Mr Smith was seen falling from a height onto the carriageway at about 18:40 GMT.

Coroner's officer Alexis Camp told the inquest that Mr Smith, a married man, was identified by his fingerprints.

Ms Camp said a post-mortem examination gave Mr Smith's cause of death as multiple injuries.

A full post-mortem report featuring statements from Mr Smith's doctor, his family and witnesses, will be prepared for his full inquest hearing.

Maria Voisin, senior coroner for Avon, provisionally listed the inquest for 11 June.

Following Mr Smith's death, the groups involved in the livestream video called for people to "allow his family to grieve in a respectful manner".

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