Suspect dies in police car chase

A man suspected of carrying out an armed robbery has been killed in a crash on the A35 in Dorset while being chased by a marked police car.

The driver of a silver Ford Escort, in his 30s and thought to be from the midlands, died in a crash with a lorry on the A35 near Bridport on Tuesday.

Earlier, a man suspected of trying to rob a Charmouth newsagents was seen getting into the Escort.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission will investigate.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "A man entered the shop and threatened a 43-year old female member of staff with a sharp-pointed instrument.

'Failed to stop'

"The lady refused to comply, she did not open the till and the man left the shop.

"The man was seen to get into a silver Ford Escort five-door saloon car by the George public house and drive out of Charmouth in the direction of Bridport," he said.

"The police officers followed the vehicle which failed to stop. The police car was being driven by a suitably trained officer. Evidence would suggest that the silver Ford Escort overtook as many as six vehicles before the collision.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the dead driver who we are currently trying to identify and locate any next of kin. Early indications suggest that the man is not from the Dorset area."

The driver of the lorry involved in the collision was not hurt.