THE family of a man who was run down and killed near his home said they believe he was being chased by a gang.

Karol Rzepka, 25, was walking near Gypsy Corner in Acton when a blue Nissan Sunny smashed into him on the A40 Western Avenue just after midnight on Sunday.

The Polish builder, who lived a short distance from the scene, had made his way across the busy stretch of road and climbed over the central barrier before being struck by the car.

He was taken to the Royal London Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Mr Rzepka's sister, Izabella Zygarlicka, 27, said she believes her brother was being chased and was in a hurry to cross the road rather than using the nearby subway.

Mrs Zygarlicka, who has lived with her brother in England for nearly six years, said: "We believe a gang was following Karol, as a friend told us he was looking around a lot and it's very strange he didn't go through the subway.

"Karol was quite short to be jumping over the high barrier in the middle of the road.

"He had heart and spine problems, and would not have been drinking as he went to the cinema in Shepherd's Bush.

"We want to find out exactly what happened that day, as it's very unusual and we don't think he would just jump over the barrier like that.

"He was wearing a rucksack containing letters and his keys, and there is no sign of it now.

"We are quite a close family and Karol was a good man; he was shy, calm, funny and friendly, and we are in shock."

Flowers and candles have been left at the scene and parents Stanislaw, 55, and Janina, 54, who had already lost their first son, said they will bury Karol in England as the family had been happy living here.

Joan Corani, who lives just opposite the scene, said she heard the police and ambulance crews outside.

Mrs Corani said: "I could see the windscreen of the car was all white and smashed.

"There were a lot of people working to save this man's life, and I thought it was the driver of the car.

"It went on late into the morning, and on Monday I found a man's black trainer in my garden, which his sister said belonged to him."

Police urge anyone with information to contact Alperton Collision Investigation Unit on 020 8998 5319.