Man dies after collision near Launceston

A 38-year-old man has died following a collision on the A30 just outside Launceston at around 5.50am on Sunday 22 December.

The man is believed to have been standing on the eastbound carriageway when he was hit by three vehicles. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The male driver of a white Peugeot Boxer van, registered to St Columb Major, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and interviewed by police.

The 50-year-old local man has been released on police bail until 12 March 2014.

The two other vehicles involved were a blue Peugeot 106, registered to Launceston, and a white Mercedes Sprinter van registered to Newton Abbot.

The female driver of the Peugeot 106 and both male van drivers were treated by paramedics at the scene for shock.

Next of kin not yet been identified and therefore formal identification has not taken place.

The collision affected both carriageways and they were both closed while officers from the Serious Collisions Investigation Unit and a body recovery team worked at the scene.

Both carriageways needed to be closed for a number of hours for a thorough investigation to take place. Enquiries continue into the circumstances of the collision.

The westbound carriageway was reopened at around 1pm and the eastbound carriageway is due to reopen at around 6.15pm.

The Highways Agency put on effective diversions which ensured there was no major traffic disruption.

Sergeant Jane Corkhill, from the Serious Collisions Investigation Unit in Plymouth, said: “This was a very challenging and horrific scene for everyone involved. Officers and staff dealing with the collision have been working in incredibly difficult circumstances and have been offered support for dealing with the upsetting nature of this incident.”

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call police on 101 quoting log 0218 of 22 December 2013.