Ref. 74433-8A HONDA worker died after his car hit a lamppost in Greenbridge in mystery circumstances.

Gareth Ralph Anslow, who is 34, of Rosebery Street, Swindon was on his way to work at the factory in South Marston when he lost control of his silver Honda Civic hatchback.

The accident occurred at 5.30am yesterday opposite the Big Yellow Self Storage facility and the recently-opened Mercedes Benz garage.

The car was travelling on the eastbound carriageway, towards the Greenbridge roundabout when it left the road.

It crossed the grassy central reservation before going up a curb and ploughing into the lamppost, bending it over.

Police and paramedics were quickly on the scene.

Mr Anslow was treated at the roadside before being taken to the Great Western Hospital where he later died.

The road was closed for a short time while police carried out their investigations, but was later re-opened before the rush-hour traffic started.

A post-mortem was due to be carried out.

Sergeant Colin Conway of Swindon traffic police said: "This was a tragic accident, and quite sudden.

"The circumstances are being investigated by officers, but we do have some ideas about what might have happened."

A spokesman from Honda told the Evening Advertiser that the company would not comment until they had more information from the police.

The accident happened almost exactly opposite the site of another fatal accident, which occurred in 1995, when 29-year-old motorcyclist Karl Gibson was hit by a car that was driving the wrong way down Drakes Way.

All that's left from the accident are a few yellow-coloured road markings and a lopped-down lamppost, which was cut down and taken away by council engineers.

Police have launched a full investigation and are urging witnesses to call PC Liam Winstone or Sgt Richard Day at Swindon Police on 01793 528111.

Anthony Osborne