POLICE have appealed for witnesses to a crash that killed a Southampton motorist this morning.

A 46-year-old driver of a Daewoo Espero died at the scene when his car collided with a double-decker Bluestar bus on a busy city road.

The front seat passenger, a 54-year-old man, was taken to Southampton General Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The crash happened shortly before 7.50am at the junction between Lodge Road and Cambridge Road when the green car crashed into the driver's side.

The bus driver of the number two route from Southampton to Eastleigh and Fair Oak as well as seven of the buses 10 passengers were examined by paramedics.

Lodge Road was closed at its junctions with Avenue Road, Portswood Road and Cambridge Road until midday while fire fighters freed the victims and collision investigators examined the scene.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash, or anyone who saw either vehicle prior to it, to call Sgt Gabriel Snuggs at Totton Roads Policing Unit on 101, quoting Operation Fairthorpe.

Alternatively call the charity Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously