A CYCLIST has died in a collision with a van.

Paramedics, police, firefighters, and the County Air Ambulance were all scrambled to the scene on the A443 in Hallow, near Worcester, close to the Crown Inn and Royal Oak pubs, yesterday afternoon.

The accident caused traffic chaos as a section of the road between the two pubs was closed off to all vehicles for more than three hours while police officers carried out their investigations. Motorists travelling in and out of Worcester were told to turn around and find other routes.

Meanwhile, the village was rife with rumours about how the unidentified male cyclist was killed in the accident, which happened about 1.50pm.

Rob Trainer, who has lived off the main road through Hallow for 20 years, said this latest incident highlighted how dangerous the A443 can be.

He said: “We’ve had problems out here for years. I was nearly run over myself while walking my dog on Thursday but when something like this happens it’s a real shocker.”

Sergeant Richard Robson said the male cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

“It appears the vehicle was stationary,” he said.

That vehicle was a white AutoSmart MAN container van. Nobody from Auto-Smart wanted to comment.

Sgt Robson said no arrests had been made and a police spokesman said officers were not looking for any other vehicles.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find a man who had collided with a stationary lorry while riding a bicycle. Sadly, nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead. No one else was injured.”

Nigel Whatford-Peters, landlord at the Royal Oak, was in his pub at the time.

He said: “I heard a bit of a bang which sounded a bit like the back door of a lorry being shut but I didn’t think anything more of it.”

Witnesses are asked to contact police on 0300 333 3000, quoting 418S/211108.