A MOTORCYCLIST has died in a collision on the A352 at Winfrith this afternoon.

The collision took place outside the Red Lion at around 3pm and involved a Kawasaki registered from a man from Wool and a Skoda Citigo registered to a company from Chester.

The road was closed between the Water Lane junction at Winfrith near the Red Lion and the Winfrith roundabout near the police headquarters and was reopened shortly after 7pm.

Dorset Police initially stated the dead man was aged in his 30s. A spokesman said this evening the man was actually 52.

A police spokesman said: “At 3pm today, Dorset Police were called to attend a fatal road traffic collision involving a car and a motorbike which occurred on the A352 outside the Red Lion Hotel in Winfrith Newburgh.

“A red Kawasaki Z550 motorcycle travelling in the direction of Dorchester collided with a white Skoda Citigo travelling in the opposite direction. Sadly the rider of the motorbike, a man from Wool died at the scene.

“The road has been closed at the roundabout at Winfrith and at Warmwell to allow emergency services to deal with the incident.”

Next of kin of the motorcyclist have been informed.

Speaking at the scene of the A352 crash at Winfrith, Inspector Colin Bell from Dorset Police’s traffic unit said: “We believe the car was waiting to turn right at the Water Lane junction by the Red Lion and collided head on with the motorcyclist, who was overtaking a small blue car which was waiting to turn left.

“The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

“We are now appealing for witnesses to the crash, and anyone who may have seen either of the two vehicles travelling prior to the collision.

“We are especially keen to talk to the driver of the small blue car.”

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service was called to the incident and sent one crew from Bere Regis. They arrived at 3.25pm, but as no-one was trapped they were released from the scene at 3.35pm.

The ambulance service sent four vehicles to the scene including the air ambulance, a first response car and two ambulances.

Witnesses and anyone with information about the manner of driving of the two vehicles prior to the incident are asked to call Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident number 09:287.