A CYCLIST has died after a crash with a car near to a pub in the New Forest.

Police launched an appeal to identify the cyclist who died in hospital following the incident on Saturday evening.

The bike rider, thought to be in his 60s, died following the crash on Hilltop, near to the Royal Oak pub in Beaulieu.

It happened at around 6.45pm.

On Monday, police said the cyclist has now been identified after a member of the public contacted them as a result of the appeal.

Specialist officers are in contact with the man's family.

A police spokesperson said: "We won't be releasing his name at this time but it will be issued in due course.

"Thank you for sharing the appeal and to those who have called in with information."

A black Seat Ibiza, which was travelling along Hilltop from Fawley towards Beaulieu, was in collision with the cyclist. 

Members of the public performed CPR on the cyclist while waiting for emergency services to arrive. 

He was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital but died a short time later.

The driver and passenger of the vehicle, a young man and a teenage girl, were not injured.

Inspector Andy Storey, said during the appeal: “We believe he was aged in his 60s, around 5ft 8ins tall and of slim build.  He had receding grey/brown hair and had a tattoo of a dagger on his left forearm.  He was riding an older style bicycle with racing handle bars.

“A tattoo of a dagger can sometimes mean that person has served in the armed forces.  This is one line of enquiry that we’re currently exploring.

"The collision happened close to the Royal Oak public house and I would urge anyone who witnessed what happened to get in touch. 

"I would also urge anyone who has dash cams in their vehicles to review their footage and let us know if they think they’ve recorded the cyclist before the incident, or the incident itself.”

Anyone with information should call Hampshire Constabulary on 101 quoting Operation Tortoiseshell.