Two cyclists lose lives in separate incidents on first day of New Year

In grim news at the start of the year, two cyclists have lost their lives today in separate incidents in the south of England. A 32-year-old man died this morning in a collision on the A3 in Hampshire involving multiple vehicles. Earlier a 27-year-old male died in a hit and run incident in East Sussex, with police subsequently making four arrests.

That incident took place at 4am this morning at the junction of Marine Parade and Warrior Square in St Leonards-on-Sea. The Ford Focus car involved was driven on for a short distance afterwards before its four occupants got out and fled.

Sussex Police say they made four arrests later in the day on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, of three males aged 33, 24 and 17 from Bexhill, and a 24-year-old man from Hastings.

The latter, as well as the 33-year-old, were both also arrested on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs, while the 24-year-old Bexhill man was also arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking.

According to Sergeant Phil Duffy of the Sussex Road Policing Unit, said: "Any witnesses to the collision or to the Focus stopping afterwards are asked to contact us via collision.appeal [at] sussex.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting Operation Ashdon."

The fatality in Hampshire, meanwhile, happened at 7.30am just south of the Hindhead Tunnel, according to Hampshire Constabulary, and resulted in the southbound carriageway being closed for several hours.

Police said that while formal identification had yet to take place, the victim’s next of kin had been informed.

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