Passenger may hold assault clues

The man got off the bus at the same stop as Ms Clark

Detectives investigating a sex attack on an 18-year-old woman who fell to her death from a motorway bridge believe a bus passenger may hold vital clues.

Sara Clark, 18, from Hampshire, had reported to police that she had been sexually assaulted on 30 May.

Her family believe a delay in a police follow-up call over the allegation led her to jump from a bridge on 2 June.

Officers want people travelling on the train replacement bus service from Southampton to Poole to come forward.

Sara Clark fell to her death days after reporting the attack

They have released a picture of one man who got off the Wilts and Dorset bus, which had been laid on by South West Trains, at the same stop as Ms Clark outside the Asda superstore in Totton.

Ms Clark reported to police that the assault took place in the Testwood recreation ground in Salisbury Road, Totton, in the early hours.

Det Insp Geoff Crowe, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: "It's important that we speak to as many people as possible who may be able to assist with the inquiry.

"We would particularly like to speak to anyone who saw Sara in Southampton that evening, or on the 'rail replacement' bus or as she walked from Totton to Calmore."

Ms Clark's body was discovered by a lorry driver in the early hours of Saturday, 2 June, on the westbound carriageway of the M27 near Southampton.

Her family have said she was depressed because she feared no-one believed her about the assault.

The case is being dealt with by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.