The heartbroken family of a man who died after a suspected hit-and-run have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Subramaniam Senthilnathan was found collapsed with head and chest injuries in Shepherds Way, South Croydon, at 6.35am, on December 20.

The 57-year-old was taken to hospital, but died later that morning. Police believe the father-of-two was the victim of a hit-and-run.

Mr Senthilnathan had been delivering newspapers he had earlier collected from the Spar in Freeland Avenue. He was delivering in Warren Avenue before entering Shepherds Way.

The area is not used as a cut through and therefore they believe the vehicle involved is highly likely to belong to a resident or visitor.

Mr Senthilnathan, who lived in Tedder Road, South Croydon, was born in Kollankeddy, Sri Lanka, and moved to Croydon with his wife in the early 1990s.

His son said his wife and children were coming to terms with this death, but are keen for anyone who may have seen Mr Senthilnathan or have information to come forward.

Paying tribute to Mr Senthilnathan, his son said: “He was quite a quiet person and he was caring.

“He was gentle and nice and I never saw him angry.

“He was also really funny at times and will be missed.”

Mr Senthilnathan also worked at the Shell petrol station in Beddington Lane for 12 years.

His manager, Shalesh Patel, paid tribute to a “polite and hard working man”.

Mr Patel said: “We are all very sad to hear about what happened. On Wednesday [the day before Mr Senthilnathan’s body was discovered] he was here with us at work.

"When they rang to tell us what happened we thought they were joking, we could not believe it.

“He was a very nice person, everyone knew him. Everyone liked him, he was polite and hard working. He’d worked here for 12 years.

“We all miss him and we wish his family all the best.”

An inquest into Mr Senthilnathan’s death was opened and adjourned at Croydon Coroner’s Court on December 21.

The cause of death was established as multiple crush injuries to the head and torso.

Police are asking anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the Shepherds Way area to come forward.

Anyone with information should call the road death investigation unit based at the Catford traffic garage on 020 8285 1574.