AN 18-year-old man from Bournemouth has died after his car crashed into a tree on a minor road near Ashley Heath roundabout on Saturday morning.

At around 8.50am emergency services were called to Hurn Road, which runs alongside the A338 southbound, after the teenager's green Renault Clio veered into a tree on the opposite side of the road and crashed into a garden fence.

Local resident Dennis Thompson said: “I was indicating to turn off and just saw the car heading towards the tree,” he said.

“I pulled up and got out of my car and then we spotted him.

Along with another driver, Mr Thompson stopped passers-by in a bid to find help.

He said he started stopping traffic and found a woman who was a nurse who tried to help the youngster.

Police officers, paramedics and a doctor flown in by air ambulance, arrived at the scene and attempted to save the young man.

Despite their efforts he was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Floral tributes and messages have been left at the scene. 

Traffic Sergeant Joe Pardey said an investigation has been launched to establish the cause of the collision.

Speaking from the scene on Saturday he said: “We were called to a single vehicle collision at around 8.50am this morning.

“The Clio left the road and collided with a tree and the 18-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Our collision investigators are working to try and establish the cause of why the vehicle left the road.

"We would like to appeal for any witnesses who may have seen that vehicle this morning.”

Anyone who saw the vehicle prior to the collision is asked to contact PC Rob Freeman of Dorset Police Traffic unit on 101.