The 31-year-old, named by locals as Sanwajid Ali Khan, was run over by a white Vauxhall Frontera after being ambushed outside Milan's pizza takeaway on Chesterfield Road, Meersbrook, at 3.45pm yesterday.

Chesterfield Road was re-opened around 12.30pm today, after being closed in both directions for a detailed forensic examination since the attack. The bus stop outside the Bridge Inn will not be in use until further notice.

It is understood the killers fled, leaving their victim bleeding beneath the car, which has been recovered by police. Emergency services were swiftly on the scene but were unable to save him.

A bystander, who asked not to be named, said: "It seems he was attacked as he arrived for work. There was a fight and he may have been stabbed before he was hit by the car. Fronteras are big 4x4s, but this one was bashed in at the front where it hit him. I understand he's worked in the takeaway for a couple of years or more, it's shocking this has happened on what was an ordinary Sunday afternoon."

As darkness fell yesterday floodlights were set up on a fire engine so forensics experts could carry out a fingertip search. Up to two dozen uniformed officers manned roadblocks on the main road and on Albert Road and Saxon Road. The closures caused traffic chaos in the area.

Today a South Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said no arrests had yet been made. She said: "Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of a 31-year-old Asian man.

"Police believe the incident may have started outside Milan's takeaway shop and spilled into the road where the victim was knocked down by a white Vauxhall Frontera which has since been recovered. The man later died from his injuries."

A post mortem examination was carried out last night but the results have not yet been released as police were today still contacting the man's relatives.

The road closures caused traffic chaos during the rush hour on one of the busiest routes in and out of Sheffield.

HGVs were being told to leave the A61 at the Meadowhead roundabout and use the Bochum Parkway, Prince of Wales Road and the A630 Sheffield Parkway.

Cars were told to follow the same route or travel down Woodseats Road or onto Scarsdale Road.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses or anybody who may have been in the Chesterfield Road area to contact them on 0114 296 3496.

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