A CYCLIST has died and a man has been arrested after an incident on a busy Southampton road.

A 64-year-old man, who has not yet been named, died following a collision with a lorry outside the Cricketers Arms on Portsmouth Road, Woolston.

Police are appealing for witnesses and want to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time of the crash.

A 50-year-old man from Stockport was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and has been released under investigation.

UPDATE: MP sparks controversy by suggesting cyclists should only use roads with cycle lanes on them

Sgt Mark Furse from Hampshire Constabulary's serious collision investigation unit said: "We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who was using the pedestrian crossing immediately before the collision happened.

"We have been told that a woman with a pushchair had used the crossing just before, so if this was you, please get in touch as you may have information that could really help our investigation.

"I would also reiterate our earlier appeal for any dash cam footage from any vehicles that were travelling in that area at the time of the collision, or just before it."

A Woolston ward councillor says that an investigation should be carried out into the incident, which happened yesterday at around 2pm.

Councillor Warwick Payne, ward councillor for Woolston, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the victim in this fatal accident.

“Whenever there is an accident a police investigation will take place and following the outcome of this, the council would look at the findings and see what can be done.

He added: “This is a section of road where accidents like this have not happened before.”

“I want to say thank you to the emergency services for their efforts yesterday.

“I attended the scene myself, spoke to residents and watched as the air ambulance take off.

“It’s always sad when something like this happens in your neighbourhood.”

Chris Poppen, 72, retired, from Sholing, was just outside the pub when the incident happened.

He said: “I was having a cigarette outside. I saw a cyclist coming from the roundabout and behind him a lorry and then I heard a crunch and I saw a man on the road and his bike half on the road and half on the pavement.

“I did not hear anyone screaming. It was just a crunch when the contact was made and that was it. I was shocked.”

Mr Poppen said he called 999 and police arrived within minutes, while two people tried to resuscitate the cyclist.

He added: “They tried their very best. There was also a nurse who stopped to help and tried to resuscitate him.

"When I saw the man on the road it was horrendous.

"It’s something I’ll never forget. It happened right in front of me.”

Emergency services including an ambulance, two officers in rapid-response vehicles, the air ambulance emergency response car and the air ambulance helicopter were called to the scene at around 2.05pm.

Part of Portsmouth Road was cordoned off and remained closed throughout the afternoon while police officers carried out inquiries at the scene.

Officers also shut one side of the Itchen Bridge which could only be accessed from Manor Road South on the east side of the bridge.

The closure was in place for several hours and motorists were urged to avoid the area before the road was reopened around 7.30pm.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 44170489992, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.