A PENSIONER suffered fatal injuries last night after being involved in a collision with a silver BMW near Pokesdown railway station.

Emergency services were scrambled at around 7.45 pm and a section of Christchurch Road, near the Tesco Express store, was sealed off to traffic for four hours.

An elderly man, who lived in the Boscombe area, but not near the accident scene, is believed to have died at the scene.

Retired shop owner Hazel Hewlett, 74, who lives in a nearby cottage, said: “I was out when it happened but when a taxi tried to drop me off the police had closed the road off.

“A police officer escorted me to my door; there were items on the pavement and I realised there had been an accident.

“By the time I arrived home the pedestrian had been taken away but officers were still taking measurements.

“My nephew's car was parked nearby and I thought, at first, that he was involved. But thankfully he was safe. It is a terrible shock.”

Local resident Rose Crocker, 61, said: “It happened on my doorstep but I didn't hear a thing; I was in my lounge which is at the back of my home.

“When I looked out my kitchen window at the front of the house at around 9 pm I could see flashing lights and realised there had been an accident.

“It is a very busy road and I'd hoped a pedestrian crossing might be installed. I often have to run from the bus stop opposite, across the road, because at certain times of day it is very dangerous for pedestrians.”

Andy Miles, 58, who lives opposite the crash scene, said: “It's tragic; the driver of the silver BMW involved was distraught. I heard that the victim was elderly but quite fit and often walked long distances.

“It happened opposite a bus stop; this road is constantly busy.”

The East Dorset coroner has been informed and a post mortem is due to open tomorrow.

Police are appealing for witnesses to phone 101.