A MAN has died after his car left the road and ended up in dense woodland some 30 metres from the carriageway yesterday.

An investigation has been launched by Dorset Police following the incident off the A35 near Charmouth.

The A35 between Charmouth and Bridport was closed for several hours and was not reopened until earlier today.

It is not clear when exactly the crash happened as the vehicle was obscured by trees.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "At 6.05pm on Thursday Dorset Police received a report from a member of the public that a car had been discovered concealed in dense woodland about 30 meters away from the A35.

"Sadly, the driver of the car – a Hampshire man in his 60s – had died.

"At this time it is not clear how long the vehicle has been at the location as it was completely obscured from the road."

The spokesman added: "The man’s next of kin have been informed and the coroner notified.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious, but an investigation into the circumstances is ongoing.

"The A35 was closed in both directions to enable emergence services to deal with the incident."

The air ambulance was reported to have been at the scene last night.

The road was closed between A3052 (Charmouth turning) and the Crown roundabout in Bridport.