A MAN from Wareham has been killed in a horrific head-on smash along a rural North Dorset road.

The victim's wife, who was a passenger in their Honda car, and another man - travelling in a convertible sports car involved in the crash - were rushed to hospital with “serious” injuries, according to police.

The accident took place on Milton Road, just west of Milborne St Andrew around 11.40pm on Wednesday night, on a narrow stretch of road close to Bagber Farm.

The 69-year-old driver was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. His wife, aged 66, and a 49-year-old man from the Milton Abbas area were treated by paramedics then taken by ambulance to Dorchester's Dorset County Hospital.

Locals speaking to the Daily Echo near the scene this morning said they knew nothing of the accident until they woke up to discover the road was closed. However, they insisted the road is not an accident blackspot.

Inspector Matt Butler, of Dorset Police, said: “Although this is a rural road and it was late at night, so the likelihood of anyone witnessing it that hasn't already spoken to us is slim, I would still like to issue an appeal for witnesses.

“This includes anyone who may have seen either of the cars before the collision.”

Inspector Butler confirmed the two other people injured were taken to hospital with “serious” injuries.

According to figures released by Dorset Police yesterday there have been 11 fatal recordable road traffic collisions this year across the county, along with two deaths at the wheel through illness.

The cars involved in Wednesday's crash were a red Honda Jazz and a red MGF convertible sports car.

Milton Road was closed both ways to enable crash investigators to work the scene at A354 The Square until around 8.30am.

The A354 was unaffected and traffic for Milton Abbas was directed to cut through via Chescombe Lane from Winterbourne Whitechurch.

Witnesses should contact Dorset Police on the non-emergency 101 number.

If you would like to pay tribute, please email newsdesk@bournemouthecho.co.uk.