TWO people have died in two separate crashes on Dorset’s roads in less than 24 hours.

A pedestrian aged in his 80s and a motorcyclist in his 20s died during the incidents in Christchurch and Merley. 

Dorset Police received a report at 5.38pm on Tuesday, November 26, of a collision in Barrack Road, near the Bailey Roundabout, involving a black Land Rover and a pedestrian.

Emergency services attended and the pedestrian, a local man, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said his family has been informed.

Sergeant Lee Savage of the roads policing team said: “Our thoughts are very much with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly died at this extremely difficult time.

“We are carrying out a full investigation in order to establish the circumstances of what happened, and I would urge any witnesses who have not already spoken to police to please contact us.”

Road closures were put in place as the emergency services responded, and a detailed examination of the scene was conducted. The road reopened at around 11.20pm.

Just hours later, a motorcyclist died following a crash involving a car on the A31 near Wimborne.

The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident between the Merley Roundabout and Canford Bottom.

Dorset Police received a report at 8.52am on Wednesday, November 27, of a collision involving a grey Suzuki motorcycle and a white Nissan Qashqai.

Police said the man’s family has been informed.

Following this, road closures were put in place as the emergency services responded and examined the collision scene.

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant dashcam footage to come forward following the incident.

Sergeant Mike Gatfield, of the traffic unit, said: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the young man who very sadly died as a result of this collision.

“We are continuing to carry out enquiries to establish the full circumstances of what happened and I would ask any witnesses who have not already spoken to police to please make contact with us.

“I would also urge any motorists with dashcam who were travelling in the area to please review their footage for anything of relevance.”