Plea for help on boy's road death

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Police are asking for more information from the public after a teenager was killed as he walked along a road during a night out early on Saturday.

Ben James Evans, 15, from Sandfields, Port Talbot, was involved in a collision with a Nissan Navara walking along the A465 in Neath.

Police say it is not known why Ben was on the road at that time and his mobile phone is still missing.

Ben's family have paid tribute to him saying he was "a fun loving" boy.

The GCSE pupil at Sandfields Comprehensive was killed at about 0030 BST on Saturday after he had been on a night out in Neath town centre.

Insp Carwyn Evans, from the South Wales Police Roads Policing Unit, said they did not know why Ben was on the A465.

He always had a joke to tell and always had a smile Statement by Ben's family

"We are continuing to piece together his movements on Friday night and into the early hours of Saturday morning.

"We are appealing for any sightings of pedestrians walking either way between the A465 and Stockham's Corner between 11.45pm and 12.30am that night.

Mr Evans said they wanted anyone who may have seen Ben after 2200 BST on Friday night up to the time of his death to come forward.

He said Ben's silver Sony Ericsson W880i mobile was still missing.

"Tracing this phone may enable us to confirm Ben's movements on Friday night, who he has associated with and why he was on the A465."

Joke to tell

Ben's family have issued a statement saying he had been on a night out with friends in Neath town centre.

"It is unclear why he was walking alone in the direction of Aberdulais, but one thing that is clear is that he will be sorely missed by his family, friends and everyone that knew him," their statement said.

"Ben was a fun loving, social boy who hated being on his own, he enjoyed other's company no matter who they were.

"He always had a joke to tell and always had a smile."

They added that he was popular at school and had been a keen sportsman, playing rugby for Aberavon Green Stars and football for Port Talbot and Afan Lido.

Anyone with information should contact the South Wales Police Roads Policing Unit on 01656 655555 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.