A 22-year-old man who died in a horrific crash on the A36 near the Warminster village of Codford on Sunday has been named by police.

Edward Atkinson, from Camerton near Bath, was driving a blue Saab towards Salisbury when the crash happened just after 9am.

The Saab collided head-on with a blue Land Rover Freelander and despite attempts by paramedics, Mr Atkinson died at the scene.

The woman, in her 50s, driving the Land Rover was taken by the Wiltshire Air Ambulance to Salisbury District Hospital with serious crush injuries and underwent surgery. Her condition is described as critical but stable.

Her 22-year-old daughter, who was a passenger in the Land Rover, was also treated in hospital but was later allowed home.

Martyn Kent has been watch manager at Tisbury Fire Station for 10 years and his crew were first on the scene.

He said: “The two cars were about 30 or 40 metres apart after impact. The Land Rover had gone down a bank and into a field but was still on its wheels. The Saab was still on the highway and also on its wheels.

“When we got there the ambulance and air ambulance were already in attendance and they were dealing with both lots of casualties.

“We were told the man was in a critical condition so we started to cut the car, but after a short time it was confirmed he had sadly died.

“We then concentrated on getting the mother and daughter out of the Land Rover.”

Fire crews from Wilton and Salisbury also attended.

PC Marcus Bereford-Smith, of the serious collision investigation team in Chippenham, said: “The A36 in its entirety needs to be treated with respect because it’s a major trunk road which links the west and the south of the county.

“People need to be mindful of their speed and be more aware of other vehicles around them as well as the environment around them.

“We are still appealing for witnesses and are also keen to trace the movements of Edward Atkinson that morning.

“We are conducting an investigation to determine how the crash happened.”

The road was closed for more than five hours after the collision.

Any witnesses are asked to ring Wiltshire Police’s serious collision investigation team on 0845 408 7000.