TRAGIC Damian Whitfield had argued with two young women outside a Southampton nightclub before he was run over in a mystery motorway crash.

Police have revealed how the 21-year-old was involved in a "minor disagreement" at the city's Leisure World complex in the early hours of Sunday.

Instead of travelling home in a minibus with friends, Damian wandered off into the night after the dispute with two women aged around 19.

The business student was not seen until around 45 minutes later - when he was running along a stretch of the eastbound M27 between Bursledon and Whiteley.

Headmaster's son Damian, who had hopes of becoming a Navy pilot, died instantly when he was struck by three vehicles, including a police patrol car.

Police investigating the tragedy today admitted they were no clearer about how the student came to be walking along the M27 - or how he got there.

Chief Insp Jim Bettley, leading the inquiry, codenamed Operation Northdene, said: "We now know Damian had a minor tiff with two young women outside Leisure World, during which a mobile phone was knocked to the floor.

"We would appeal for them to come forward as they may have vital information about his movements. We are not looking to prosecute people; we just want to find out what happened."

One woman was 5ft 4in to 5ft 5in, with blonde shoulder-length hair and glasses, wearing a sparkly blue boob-tube and black trousers. Her friend was slim, with brown hair, and wore black trousers with a black, possibly leather, jacket.

Police are also keen to speak to anyone with information about how Daniel got from Leisure World at 2.15am to the M27 at 3am, when he met his death.

Chief Insp Bettley said: "Somebody must have either given him a lift or seen him walking along, but at the moment it is an absolute mystery."

Damien, of Waterlooville, had been celebrating a friend's 21st birthday before being struck on the motorway, where he was seen running into the carriageway.

An inquest was opened and adjourned into Mr Whitfield's death. The inquest at Winchester was told that the first vehicle to hit him was the one that caused his death. Any information to the Operation Northdene team at Hulse Road on 0845 045 4545 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.