A MAN died after being hit by a car at Swanage seafront yesterday morning.

The 70-year-old man from Swanage was believed to be jogging along the seafront when he was struck by the vehicle, a Vauxhall Zafira which then careered on to the beach.

Bournemouth Echo:

Picture from Liam Coleman

Police, fire, ambulance and the air ambulance were called to the scene around 8.40am. Coastguard were also called to assist the emergency services.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

His next of kin has been informed and is being supported by officers. The coroner has been notified. 

Police are appealing for witnesses.

The road was closed for several hours.

The female driver of the car, in her 60s, was taken to hospital as a precaution. She suffered minor injuries.

The car was believed to be reversing when the incident took place, opposite K's Funworld amusement arcade.

Bournemouth Echo:

Police Sergeant Joe Pardey, of the traffic unit, said: “I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision, or has any dashcam footage that can assist my investigation, to please come forward.

“I would also like to hear from anyone who saw the manner of driving of the vehicle prior to the collision.

“Also, I would like to thank the public for their patience while the closure was in place to allow emergency services to deal with the collision.”

Liam Coleman who is on holiday in Swanage, said he was walking the dog when he could see the police had cordoned off part of the beach and the seafront.

“All I could see was a car on the beach with its boot open, and that there had been some damage to the front of the vehicle.

"I’d heard there had been an incident between a car and a jogger."
Collision investigators cordoned off the road until after lunchtime on Bank Holiday Monday.

Bournemouth Echo:

Daniel Doncaster who lives in Swanage, was one of the first on the scene.

He said: “I was walking the dog and was about to go onto the beach near the Mowlem Theatre. 

"I could see a woman trying to reverse her silver people mover into a parking space at the seafront. She had her door open so she could get a better view behind her, when all of sudden the car accelerated backwards and she was thrown out of the vehicle and the car flew up into the air and on to the beach.

“Then I heard a woman screaming there’s a man underneath, and I could see someone underneath the driver’s front wheel.

“I called out for some help and about eight or nine of us were trying to lift the car off him because the tide was coming in. I recognised him as I see him out jogging nearly every day. 

"It was just horrendous."

Another man who works in the town, but didn't want to be named said: "I was walking to work this morning when I heard a loud crash and a woman screaming for help.

"I rushed over to see what had happened and there was a car on the beach and an elderly man underneath. 

"The sea was coming up as it was high tide. Myself and about eight other people managed to lift the car off the poor man. 

"The female driver was really upset and was being comforted by a member of the public. It was just awful, really awful.”