Man dies after Bristol road crash

A man has died after the car he was driving crashed into an electricity pole and overturned near Bristol.

The accident happened at about 2.45am this morning in Blackhorse Road, Mangotsfield.

Police and ambulance crews were called to the scene and the driver, who is understood to be local, was initially treated by paramedics.

The road was closed while the incident was dealt with and the man was taken to hospital. Police said he later died of his injuries.

It is not clear whether the man was alone in the car, which ended up on its roof, or whether he had a passenger.

Electricity engineers were called to the scene by police because of concerns over the condition of the pole.

Sharon Cross, spokeswoman for Western Power Distribution, said power supplies had not been cut off when the accident happened but engineers disconnected power to 26 properties while they carried out repairs.

She said: "Supplies were switched off at about 5.20am and restored just before 7.15am. As well as Blackhorse Road, some customers in Jubilee Crescent were also affected."

Blackhorse Road resident Chris Harris, 73, a retired teacher, said he and his wife, Linda, were woken up by the sound of vehicles outside at about 5am.

He said: "We hadn't heard the accident itself but could hear the engines of the vehicles of the electricity engineers who had arrived at about 5am to do the repairs.

"At that time the police were in attendance because the road was closed but I couldn't see any ambulance. Later the fire brigade came along to wash down the road.

"A recovery vehicle also arrived later on to take the car away.

"It's very sad to know that someone has died. The car was on its roof so must have overturned after hitting the pole."