TWO people who died in a horror crash on the A31 are believed to be an elderly couple from Dorset.

The man and woman, both in their 70s, died when their car was involved in a collision with two lorries east of Bere Regis on Monday evening.

The couple have not been formally identified but friends in the Bothenhampton area of Bridport said that they had been informed of the news.

It is believed the married couple were well-known members of the local community and did a lot of voluntary work in the Bridport area.

They were also well known among the local church community.

One person who knew the couple said: “It is terribly sad news. We understand that the police aren’t releasing their names until all next of kin have been informed.

“It is just so tragic in the days before Christmas.

We are just so sad as they were a wonderful couple.”

The emergency services reported that both were ‘killed instantly’ at the scene.

Dorset Police said the collision, east of Red Post, Winterborne Zelston, involved two HGVs travelling eastbound and a yellow Seat Ibiza travelling westbound.

Emergency services raced to the scene at around 5.20pm following the smash.

Following the incident the road was closed to allow crash scene investigators to conduct a detailed examination of the accident site.

Motorists faced long delays as police diversions and road closures were put in place.

The collision is the 27th fatal crash on Dorset’s roads this year and brings the number of people killed on the roads up to 28. Last year there were 25 fatal crashes.

Police are renewing their appeal for witnesses and anyone who may have seen any of the three vehicles involved prior to the incident.

Witnesses are asked to contact Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident number i09344.