Police are today still trying to identify a man who died in a collision on a remote road.

The man, believed to be in his 50s or 60s, was carrying no identification when the accident happened near Harden at 2am on Saturday.

He was hit by a green Toyota Avensis taxi taking a passenger home to the village three-quarters of a mile away, from the Long Lee direction.

Parish Council chairman Michael Andrews said he was shocked by the tragedy but surprised anyone would be walking on that stretch of road in the dark.

He said: “Probably neither the taxi driver nor the man walking would have expected to see anyone else there at that time.

“There’s no pavement, it’s all grass verge. The road would have been the man’s only option. It’s a bleak spot up there, with verges that rise up and stone walls – less than ideal for walkers.”

Close to the spot where the collision happened is a 50mph sign which was only introduced a year ago. Councillor Andrews said: “It’s well-signed now as a place to slow down. That point is fairly straight but then as it dips down to the village there are some bad bends.

“Further down the road where the bends are there have been quite a few accidents in the past; cars have ended up on the other side of the wall.”

Judith Varley, landlady at The Golden Fleece in Harden, said: “It could have been someone making their way home from Keighley but it’s not a road anyone would choose to walk on in the dark.”

A spokes-man for Arrows taxis in Keighley said: “The driver is in shock. We all are.”

Meanwhile, police are continuing with efforts to identify the man, but no one fitting his description had been reported missing.

A post mortem was being carried out today.

Anyone with information should call Keighley Road Traffic Police on 0845 6060606.

e-mail: kathie.griffiths@telegraphandargus.co.uk