The co-defendant of British tech tycoon Mike Lynch – who is currently missing in Italy – has died after being hit by a car, his lawyer said.

Stephen Chamberlain was Mr Lynch’s co-defendant in his US fraud trial in which both men were acquitted following the $11bn (£8.64bn) sale of the software giant Autonomy.

Mr Chamberlain died after being hit by a car while out running in Cambridgeshire on Saturday, according to his lawyer.

Mr Lynch and his daughter are currently missing after a luxury yacht sank off the coast of Sicily on Monday.

Gary Lincenberg, Mr Chamberlain’s lawyer, described his client as a “courageous man”.

“Our dear client and friend Steve Chamberlain was fatally struck by a car on Saturday while out running,” he said.

“He was a courageous man with unparalleled integrity. We deeply miss him.

“Steve fought successfully to clear his good name at trial earlier this year, and his good name now lives on through his wonderful family.”

Cambridgeshire Police was previously appealing for witnesses following a crash on the A1123 at Stretham.

The force has been approached for comment.

Mr Chamberlain was the former vice-president of finance at Autonomy.

Searches for those missing from the yacht off the coast of Sicily have resumed on Tuesday.

Six tourists – including Mr Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter – remain missing from the yacht named Bayesian.

It was hit during intense storms in the early hours of Monday.

Morgan Stanley International Bank chairman, Jonathan Bloomer, and Clifford Chance lawyer, Chris Morvillo, are also among those missing.