AN elderly woman has died following a collision between a car, a parked car and a pedestrian in Christchurch.

Mudeford past Stanpit was closed both ways between Mudeford Lane and Chichester Way following a crash near the parade of shops next to Farm Lane. 

Police received a report that a silver BMW was involved in a collision with a parked car and a pedestrian.

The pedestrian - an 85-year-old woman from the Christchurch area - was pronunced dead at the scene.

Her family has been informed and is being supported by a family liaison officer. The coroner has been notified.

The 94-year-old male driver of the car was uninjured.

All three emergency services were called at around 2.30pm to deal with the incident and to allow for collision investigators to examine the scene.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing nine police cars at the scene, along with four ambulances and fire service vehicles.

The road reopened shortly after 8.30pm.

Police Sergeant Nikki Burt, of Dorset Police's traffic unit, said: “I am appealing to any motorists or pedestrians who were in the area at the time and witnessed the collision to please contact me.

“I would also like to hear from anyone who witnessed the manner of driving of the vehicle immediately prior to the collision or who has a dash cam fitted in their vehicle.

“I would like to thank motorists and anyone affected by this incident for their patience during the road closure, which was essential to allow the emergency services to carry out their vital work and to allow for an effective examination of the scene.”

A witness told the Daily Echo there was a collision in the road before one of the vehicles rebounded and struck the female pedestrian.

The crash took place near the parade of shops on Mudeford and people were asked to avoid the area while the road closure was in place.

The management at Colten Care’s Avon Reach Care Home confirmed the woman involved in the crash was one of their residents.

Balan Ramasamy, owner of Bury’s convenience store, said his wife came into the shop saying there had been an accident right outside.

“Both sides of the road have cars parked along and it’s a narrow road.

They should stop cars from parking on the roadside,” he said.

“It’s an area with a lot of older people. I have written to councillors and the MP for Christchurch about the parking issues for two years, but nothing is done about it.”