AN elderly pedestrian suffered fatal injuries in a crash in the New Forest this evening.

It is understood the 71-year-old man had stopped to help with a vehicle which had already crashed at the same location on the A35, near Bashley, but was then himself involved in a collision with a second car – a silver Mitsubisi Space Star. He died at the scene.

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said he was believed to be “directing traffic” at the time.

The A35 is closed both ways and is expected to remain that way for several hours due to the crash, which occurred on an unlit stretch of the road north of Christchurch, near the junction with the B3058 Holmsley Road, at around 5.20pm.

Officers are diverting traffic off the A35 and onto the B3058 towards Bashley and New Milton.

Initially no cordon was put in place at the southern end of the crash scene, and a Highways Agency vehicle was dispatched to redirect traffic from that direction.

An investigation into the circumstances of the crash has been launched.

Witnesses and anyone with information about the collision can contact PC Stephen Antrobus at Totton Police Station on 101, quoting Operation Diversity, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.