A 48-year-old man from Swindon died at the scene of a crash on the A350 at Beanacre near Melksham yesterday.

His passenger - a 79-year-old woman from the Chippenham area - was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol by air ambulance with serious injuries where she remains critical but stable.

Wiltshire Police are appealing for witnesses following the collision between a Ford Mondeo car and a lorry near the Beechfield House hotel just after 1.15pm.

The road was closed in both directions as three Dorset and Wiltshire fire crews from Corsham and Chippenham and a heavy rescue unit from Trowbridge freed the two people trapped in the car.

It is understood the car was a private hire taxi service travelling towards Chippenham. The lorry belonged to Ash Logistics Ltd, a Watford-based furniture delivery firm.

Police urged motorists to avoid the A350 following the accident. The road was closed in both directions for six hours, finally being re-opened just after 7pm.