A DRIVER died after his car collided with an electricity pole in a Purbeck village and snapped the pole in half.

The 21-year-old man from Poole died at the scene from his injuries following the crash involving a Ford Focus early this morning.

Dorset Police say the IPCC has been notified "due to the fact a marked police vehicle was in the vicinity of the Ford Focus at the time of the collision".

His next of kin have been informed and the coroner notified.

The accident happened in the early hours of the morning around 50 yards from St Michael's Garage, just after a bend on the A351 Valley Road at Harman's Cross.

The A351 was closed in both directions between the B3069 and Crack Lane while emergency services dealt with the incident and collision investigators examined the scene.

The road reopened in the early afternoon.

Neighbours reported hearing an "almighty bang" around 2.20am as the car, a Ford Focus, smashed into the electricity pole and a garden wall of a detached property lining the single carriageway road.

Police closed the road for a number of hours afterwards, to enable collision investigators to carry out their work.

A villager, who asked not to be named, said: "One of my neighbours heard the crash this morning, he said it was an almighty bang.

"I've lived here since 1959 and we've had lots of accidents over the years on that particular corner.

"Cars used to run into our hedge, but ever since the camber of the road was altered they seem to go off on the other side of the road."

"We are used to accidents happening here."

Engineers from SSE were also called to the scene to replace the electricity pole.

Sergeant Dave Stroud, of Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit, said: “I am appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision or who saw the Ford Focus being driven prior to the incident to please call me urgently.

“I would like to thank motorists for their patience during the road closures which have been necessary to allow officers to investigate the incident.”

Witnesses should contact Dorset Police on 101.