A 17-YEAR-OLD CYCLIST has died after an accident involving a car on one of Poole’s busiest roads.

The fatal collision happened yesterday lunchtime on the southbound carriageway of Holes Bay Road, close to a popular cycle path that leads into a cycle lane running alongside the highway.

Dorset Police closed the 50mph dual carriageway in both directions for around four hours following the tragedy.

Police, paramedics and firefighters rushed to the scene, between the McDonalds restaurant on the Holes Bay roundabout and the bridge crossing the railway line, at 1.30pm.

Len Vickery, of Dorset Police, said: “A Ford Fiesta being driven by a man had collided with a pedal cycle ridden by a local 17-year-old male.

“Despite efforts of members of the public and attending ambulance crews, the cyclist was sadly declared deceased at the scene.”

Specially-trained collision ex-perts and CSI sealed off the scene to carry out a full investigation.

A burgundy Ford Fiesta with damage to the front wing remained at the side of the road, yards from the crash site. Officers were also examining a road racing style bicycle.

The road between the roundabout and Sterte Road junction, one mile south of the crash site, did not fully re-open until around 5.30pm.

Diversions were set up along Sterte Road, Fleets Lane and also Hamworthy’s Blandford Road.

A number of lorries heading north along Holes Bay Road from Poole Port were forced to wait at the Sterte Road/Holes Bay traffic lights as they were too large for the Fleets Lane diversion.

Enquiries into what happened in the moments leading up to the fatal smash are ongoing.

A worker from a nearby firm heard the crash while walking along nearby Willis Way with a friend during their lunch break.

The witness, aged 32, told the Daily Echo: “We heard an almighty thump.

“It took a couple of seconds for us to react.”

They went closer to see if they could help and stumbled upon the aftermath of the collision, 20-30 metres from the roundabout, where the road inclines.

“My friend could see the cyclist lying on the floor. People were already around him,” he added.

Witnesses or anyone who saw the car or bicycle just before the crash should call Dorset Police on the non-emergency number 101.

Anyone wishing to pay tribute to the boy involved for inclusion in Monday's paper can email stephen.bailey@bournemouthecho.co.uk