DETECTIVES investigating the discovery of a man’s body in the back of a lorry on the M3 are calling on the Vietnamese community to help identify him.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo the man’s body was found by officers from Hampshire Constabulary on Tuesday, after the vehicle stopped between junctions nine and ten at Winchester.

Detective Superintendent Dave Williams from the constabulary’s Major Crime Department said: “Whilst we have yet to identify the man, there are strong indications he’s Vietnamese.

“We believe it’s highly likely he got into the back of the vehicle while it was at a lorry park in France on Monday .

“The lorry entered the country the next day at Dover docks.

“While travelling west on the M25, the driver, a 45-year-old Italian man, was alerted to his trailer by another motorist who indicated that an arm was waving from the side of the vehicle.

“The lorry driver pulled over and stopped between junctions nine and ten, for Leatherhead and the A3.

“At that point, we understand a man jumped off the vehicle and ran off west along the hard shoulder. The driver was unable to get a description.

“It’s possible that whoever else was in the back of the lorry is also from Vietnam and that perhaps they are heading towards an established Vietnamese community in this country.

“Our priority is to identify the dead man and work out the circumstances surrounding his death. I’m hoping someone out there will come forward and help us do this.”

The man is described as:  Between 25 and 30-years-old  Slim to medium build  No identifiable marks or scars  Wearing blue jeans, a black belt and several sweaters The lorry driver was detained for questioning by detectives and has since been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Superintendent Dave Williams quoting Operation Arena on 0845 045 45 45 or the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555111.