Bristol murder hunt - police release picture of victim

Police have released a picture of murder victim Simon Bampton who died in hospital in Bristol after he was punched by a passing motorist.

Detectives launched a murder inquiry after Mr Bampton, 28, from Southampton, died at the Bristol Royal Infirmary.

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Mr Bampton, a construction worker, was on his way home following a night out with work colleagues in Bristol city centre when he was attacked.

He was walking with a friend down Marsh Street, behind the former Bristol & West tower between Baldwin Street and Broad Quay, when a passing car stopped in the early hours of yesterday morning, at about 2.30am.

The driver got out and punched the man once, knocking him to the floor close to the BT building. He is thought to have smashed his head on the building or pavement as he fell.

Police believe the attack was random and unprovoked and have yet to establish a motive.

An ambulance rushed him to the BRI, but unfortunately doctors were unable to save him.

His parents were understood to have been at his bedside when he died at about midday yesterday. They remained too upset to speak.

The 28-year-old lives in Southampton but had been in Bristol for work. It is not known how long he had been in the city.

Marsh Street remained closed yesterday afternoon as forensic experts gathered evidence at the scene.

Detectives have been scouring CCTV footage from city centre cameras and last night urged the driver to give himself up.

Police have also pleaded for a private hire taxi driver who they believe was in the area at the time to come forward.

There are at least two cameras which look down the street, one from Broad Quay and the other from Baldwin Street.

Nearby buildings are also thought to have cameras which would have been operating at the time.

Detective Superintendent Andy Williams is leading the murder hunt.

He said: "We believe there was one blow which resulted in him falling to the floor.

"I am urging the person responsible for this offence to come forward.

"This may have been a spur of the moment action and it is very possible that they did not realise the seriousness of the assault at the time.

"Therefore I am appealing to their conscience to contact us immediately."

He added: "We are following a number of lines of enquiry, particularly CCTV footage, and it would be better for all concerned for the person responsible to speak to us sooner rather than later."

He also appealed for anyone who knew about the attack to come forward.

He added: "Did someone you know come home and say they had been in a fight or looked like they had?"

Police are also keen to speak to a taxi driver who was seen nearby at the time of the incident.

He said: "Again, it is possible that this taxi driver did not realise how serious this assault was and we urge them to speak to us as they could be a vital witness."

Witnesses should call Bristol police on 0845 456 7000 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.