TRIBUTES have been paid to a ‘lovely gentleman’ who died in a tragic accident.

Peter Wyman died on Wednesday afternoon when he fell ill at the wheel and collided with a hedge at Osmington Hill at around 5pm.

The 75-year-old, of Roman Road, Osmington, is believed to have collapsed while driving and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Wyman, who was a father and grandfather, was well known in the village and tributes have been pouring in from members of the community.

Neighbour Nick Ireland said he was a ‘quiet and gentle man’ who will be greatly missed.

He said: “I was fortunate to have Peter Wyman as both a neighbour and good friend since I moved to Osmington twelve years ago.

“He was a quiet and gentle man with a great enthusiasm for technology which I shared.

“He always supported village activities and played an active role in the production of our community plan and its ongoing projects.

“Only this week we started a new energy saving project for Osmington and just a few hours before his death had a great chat about thermal imaging cameras.

“He’ll be much missed by his family, neighbours in Roman Road and I’m sure anyone who was lucky enough to know him.”

Another Roman Road resident Phillip Symes said: “He was a lovely gentleman and a really pleasant man. We have only been here a few years but he was very welcoming, they are a lovely family and he will be greatly missed in the village.

“I don’t think anyone could say anything bad about him, he didn’t have a bad bone in his body.”

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “They were a lovely couple and Peter was a lovely man, very active and did a lot in the village. You could go to him for advice or to borrow a tool or something, he would always rummage around in his garage and find what you needed.

“The whole road is very close everyone knows everyone and when something like this happens it’s a sad and difficult time for us all.

“Losing Peter is like losing a member of my family, he was a great man and anyone who knew the Wymans would say the same.”

Councillor Michael Reed, chairman of Osmington Parish Council, said: “It was very sad to hear.

“Peter was well known in the village and I’m sure he will be greatly missed.”

Witnesses asked to come forward POLICE, ambulance and fire crews were called to the scene after receiving a report of the road traffic collision.

The road was closed for several hours in both directions to officers to carry out forensic examinations.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “At 4.45pm on Wednesday, January 9 Dorset Police a road traffic collision occurred on the A353 White Horse Hill, Weymouth.

“A red Ford Mondeo travelling towards Weymouth has left the road and become embedded in a hedgerow.

“The driver, a 75-year-old man from the Weymouth area, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Next of kin have been informed. The road was closed for several hours to allow investigators to examine the scene.

“Cause of death and the cause of the collision are ongoing and any witness or anyone with information are asked to contact Dorset Police.”

Anyone with information can contact Dorset Police on 101.