RESIDENTS have spoken of their sadness following a fatal crash along a busy road in the New Forest.

Police officers were called to the A35 at Burley at around 5.30pm on Tuesday, December 27 following the collision near the junction with the B3058 Holmsley Road.

The 71-year-old man is thought to have stopped to help with a vehicle which had already crashed at the same location, but was then himself involved in a collision with a silver Mitsubishi Space Star. He died at the scene. The man is yet to be named by police.

Yellow boards have been placed on either side of the road appealing for witnesses to come forward with information.

Resident, Martin Noble, 75, who is a retired forest keeper, said: “We heard the sirens of the ambulances go down the road in quick succession.

“I was in two minds about going out to help, but then I thought that there would be a few people dealing with it and I would get in the way.

“It is all very sad, but it is a very busy road. There are a lot of accidents. We have lived here for 30 years and we have suggested a speed limit on the road as it’s a long, straight road which some cars drive along very fast.”

Sharon Morris, 49, who also lives close to the road, said: “It’s awful. It’s a dreadful bit of road. This is not the first time that we have had a crash along the road. There are still plastic barriers by the fencing where something happened not long ago.

“It’s an awkward turning from our house. My daughter is 19 and we always worry about her coming out from the turning.”

Witnesses should call PC Stephen Antrobus of Hampshire Police on 101, quoting Operation Diversity.