A MAN was killed in a collision with a lorry near Wareham yesterday.

The victim, aged 78, was on foot near the Wareham Forest Tourist Park when the crash occurred in Bere Road at around 12.45pm on Thursday, August 10.

Traffic police rushed to the scene and both land ambulances and the air ambulance were called to attend, the latter landing in a nearby field.

However the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

His next of kin have been informed and the coroner notified.

Police Sergeant Mark Scammell said the victim was thought to have been “very local” to the scene of the crash.

He said: “The man's family is being supported by specially-trained officers and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

"The driver of the lorry has been taken to the station to assist officers with their enquiries and to make sure that he is ok.”

The Volvo lorry, which was travelling towards Wareham from Bere Regis, was registered to Preston-based firm Bowker Transport. Its driver was uninjured.

The circumstances of the crash,which took place near a junction of footpaths and caravan sites, are still unclear.

The front of the lorry was apparently undamaged and the victim’s body was on the road to its rear.

No other vehicles were involved.

Bere Road was closed from the A35 all the way down to near Wareham, causing a considerable amount of congestion at both ends.

A number of motorists attempted to make their way past the crash scene and officers had to turn them back, until police community support officers were stationed at the road block.

The closure was in place until around 5pm while traffic officers carried out an investigation of the scene and recovery of the vehicle was arranged.

"I appreciate the road closures may have had an impact on residents and visitors, however the closures were necessary to allow collision investigators to examine the scene and for the emergency services to deal with the incident," added Sgt Scammell.

"I would like to thank motorists for their patience."

The force is appealing for witnesses who saw the crash or events leading up to it. Call Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident number 10:221, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.