Man arrested after death of woman (89) in truck collision

A MAN has been arrested following a collision in New Milton town centre yesterday (Monday) in which an 89-year-old woman died.

Police said a 57-year-old man from the town had been held by officers on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. He was later released under investigation and enquiries continue.

As reported in the A&T, the woman died in the incident at about 1pm involving a Travis Perkins delivery truck outside Boots on the corner of the Station Road / Ashley Road crossroads. Her next of kin have been informed.

Police, paramedics and a fire crew dashed to the scene, and the route south of the location was shut until about 8pm.

An eyewitness, who asked not to be named, said: “She had one of those wheel-walkers you do your shopping with.

“It happened so fast. There was nothing anybody could do about it.”

In the immediate aftermath, members of the public dashed over to the lorry to screen the incident from view with cardboard and sheets.

A spokesperson for Travis Perkins said yesterday: “Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.”

A Hampshire police spokesperson said this morning: “A 57-year-old man from New Milton has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. He has been released under investigation and enquiries continue.”