POLICE have arrested a man as tributes pour in for a young father killed in a suspected hit-and-run collision.

Daniel Robbie, 23, of Bournemouth, was riding a child’s scooter on the A35 Upton bypass when the accident happened in the early hours of Saturday.

His body was found in undergrowth nearby on Sunday afternoon.

Police said last night that a 26-year-old man from the Blandford area had been arrested in connection with the incident.

He has since been released on bail until early November pending police enquiries.

Just hours after the tragedy, Mr Robbie’s family faced further agony as his five-month-old son underwent heart surgery.

The tot’s grandmother Julie Croucher – Mr Robbie’s mother – accompanied him to hospital.

Throughout the weekend, she had posted a series of messages on Facebook urging people to look for her son following his disappearance.

A member of the public eventually spotted the scooter on a grass verge, leading to the closure of the bypass for more than five hours on Sunday.

Tributes have been pouring in for Daniel.

Samantha Oak said she was thinking of the family, while Carrie Anne said: “RIP Dan.

“You will be missed by so many. I’m constantly thinking of all the memories we had growing up.”

She added: “My prayers go out to all of your family. Sweet dreams.”

A family member left flowers at the roadside.

A card attached reads: “An angel for you. May you always have an angel to be your friend and guide, to help to protect you and always be by your side. You’re such a special person.”

The man, who was supported by a partner but laid the flowers alone, was visibly distressed as he stood at the scene.

He walked up to the sliproad, close to where Mr Robbie’s body was found, to pay tribute, and told the Daily Echo he did not yet want to speak about the young man’s death.

Elaine Passey wrote on Facebook: “This man was a hero and was trying by any means to get home to his sick child in time – alas, it didn’t happen.”

Ben Dishman also took to the social networking site to write: “RIP mate. You will never be forgotten. One day we will meet again, until that day you will always be in my heart and my memories.”

Investigation continuing at the scene

A police investigation into the tragedy is continuing with officers following several lines of inquiry.

Dorset Police officers wearing high visibility jackets returned to the scene of the accident just after midday yesterday to search for further clues.

They cordoned off one eastbound lane of the A35 to ensure they could work safely as they searched through undergrowth.

Sergeant Mark Scammell, of the Dorset Police Traffic Unit, said information was desperately needed.

“I am renewing my appeal for members of the public to come forward with any information in relation to this incident,” he said.

“We believe the victim was riding a silver children’s micro scooter in the early hours of Saturday morning when he was struck by an unknown vehicle which drove off without stopping.”

He added: “We are currently working closely with the family of the deceased.”

Police announced an arrest at 8.30pm yesterday.

Twenty-one lives lost on Dorset's roads

The accident is the 21st road death in Dorset so far this year.

Other tragedies have included the deaths of headteacher Ali Mullany on the B3075 near Morden Park Corner on April 14 and footballer Daniel Jones, 23, on the A356 at Maiden Newton on May 26.

Poole mum Rosemary Evans, 48, died last month when her Land Rover Discovery overturned while towing a caravan last month.

Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill has called a meeting to discuss the high levels of road fatalities in the county.

He will meet road safety experts later this month to review the county’s road safety strategy.

There were a total of 25 fatalities in 2012.