PASSERS-BY desperately tried to save the life of a cyclist after a crash in the New Forest.

The man, thought to be in his 60s, was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital following the collision at Hilltop, near Beauliea.

Despite efforts by medical crews and members of the public who performed CPR at the side of the road, the man later died from his injuries in hospital.

Police are now appealing for help to identify the man and investigate the circumstances of the crash.

The collision occurred at around 6.45pm on Saturday, when a black Seat Ibiza, which was travelling along Hilltop from Fawley towards Beaulieu, collided with the cyclist.

The driver and passenger of the vehicle, a young man and a teenage girl, were not injured.

Inspector Andy Storey, said: "We still haven’t been able to identify the cyclist and we’re continuing to appeal to anyone who thinks they might know who he is. It is possible he was a local man, but there is also a chance he was visiting the area on holiday.

“We believe he was aged in his 60s, around 5ft 8ins tall and of slim build. He had receding grey/brown hair and had a tattoo of a dagger on his left forearm. He was riding an older style bicycle with racing handle bars.

“A tattoo of a dagger can sometimes mean that person has served in the armed forces. This is one line of enquiry that we’re currently exploring.

"The collision happened close to the Royal Oak public house and I would urge anyone who witnessed what happened to get in touch. I would also urge anyone who has dash cams in their vehicles to review their footage and let us know if they think they’ve recorded the cyclist before the incident, or the incident itself.”

Anyone with information should call Hampshire Constabulary on 101 quoting Operation Tortoiseshell.