A MAN and a woman from Poole died in a collision with a car as they “walked arm-in-arm” along a road in Sandbanks.

The 53-year-old man and 51-year-old woman were declared dead at the scene of the horrific crash with a silver Mercedes in Banks Road just after 10.30pm on Saturday.

Another injured woman, also on foot, was rushed to Poole Hospital but has since been released.

The road was taped off until noon on Sunday as forensics scoured the area for clues, bringing the area to a standstill.

Eyewitness Dave Bloomfield, who lives nearby, said: “We were watching Last Night of the Proms when I heard a loud noise.

“At first I thought it could have been a drum on the television or a thunderstorm.

“When I opened the curtains to look out onto the road, the accident had just happened.”

He added: “There was a body lying in the middle of the road and another on the pavement.

“And then there was the car, which looked embedded in the wall.”

Pensioner Brian Phillipson lives in an apartment on the corner of Banks Road and Salter Road.

He said: “My wife heard the bang so we went onto the balcony.

“You couldn’t see a lot because of the bushes, but they were searching gardens with flash lights.

“The police said they didn’t want us to go outside because somebody had been killed, and we might disturb evidence.”

Another resident said: “I was just going to bed and was turning off the television when I heard a commotion.

“At least a dozen police cars were whizzing up the road. I came out to see what was going on, and stood on the corner where the crash had just happened.

“Apparently they were walking arm in arm along the pavement when the accident happened. It was still quite busy outside when I went to bed at 1am.”

Many residents were kept awake by the police helicopter searching the area until the early hours of the morning. Next of kin and the East Dorset coroner have been informed.

• A 33-year-old Poole man was arrested on suspicion of driving offences but has been released on police bail until November.

• Dorset Police are urging anyone who saw the crash, or a silver Mercedes being driven in Sandbanks before 10.35pm on Saturday, to call them in confidence on 01202 22 22 22 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111, where mobile phone tariffs may apply.

If you wish to place a tribute, please email newsdesk@bournemouthecho.co.uk