THE family of a Portland pensioner are being comforted after he died in a car crash.

The collision took place near Lymington in the New Forest, Hampshire on Monday night.

Police were called to the B3054 Main Road in Walhampton, near Lymington, at 8.44pm on Monday following the incident.

Walhampton is a hamlet in the New Forest on the east bank of the Lymington River. It is where the Isle of Wight ferry terminal is situated.

The crash involved a grey Skoda Octavia and a white Ford Transit van.

Police said the driver of the Skoda, a 72-year-old man from Portland, sustained serious injuries and was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

The 39-year-old man driving the van was uninjured.

South Central Ambulance said it was alerted at 8.50pm and sent one land ambulance to the scene as well as the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

They said that one person was sadly pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

The other driver was checked over by paramedics but he was uninjured.

Police are investigating and want to hear from anyone who witnessed the crash or knows what happened.

A force spokesman said: “Officers investigating the exact circumstances of the collision would like to hear from anyone who saw what happened, or who saw either vehicle prior to the incident.”

Anyone with information can call Hampshire Constabulary on 101, quoting reference number 44180057635, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.