POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a head-on crash in which RAF engineer Colin Burnett died.

Mr Burnett, 32, who was married with two young children, was killed when his Kawasaki motorcycle was involved in a collision with a Porsche Carrera on Monday.

The accident happened on the B4069 Chippenham Road at Lyneham at 6.30pm and police believe Mr Burnett lost control on a left hand bend and swerved into the path of the oncoming Porsche.

At the wheel of the Porsche was a 41-year-old Wootton Bassett man who was driving three children his son and two of his son's friends.

They all escaped unhurt, but were said to be extremely distressed.

PC Jim Torrie, of Westbury Traffic Police, who is heading inquiries into the tragedy, said paramedics and the air ambulance arrived quickly and tried in vain to resuscitate Mr Burnett, but he did not regain consciousness and was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Burnett's widow Paula, 34, was said to be distraught at news of her husband's death.

She and Mr Burnett, who was a junior technician working on RAF Lyneham's Hercules fleet, have a young son and daughter and the family are being comforted by relatives.

Norman Baker, 70, who owns a garage opposite the crash site, was one of the first people on the scene. "It was terrible to see," he said.

"The accident had just happened and the poor young man was lying on the ground I feel for his family, it's just awful.

"His motorbike was some way off, as if he had fallen as he turned, and the man who was driving the Porsche was leaning across the bonnet of his car being comforted by someone he looked traumatised."

Mr Baker said it is the second fatal accident at the scene in recent years.

"A young rider was killed here a few years ago while driving around that corner," he said . "The road has a light adverse camber, which I think takes some people unawares.

"I would like to see rumble strips put down there and the 30mph traffic signs moved further up the road, to warn people of the dangers."

Mr Burnett was believed to be travelling home to Lyneham when the accident occurred, while the Porsche driver was on his way to drop off his son's two friends.

RAF Lyneham's Acting Station Commander, Wing Commander Guy Edwards, said the base had been shocked by Mr Burnett's death.

"We are all extremely saddened at this unexpected and sudden loss," he said. "Our deepest sympathies are extended to his family."

The Chippenham Road was closed between 6.35pm and 11.42pm, while police inquiries took place.

PC Torrie said police have been contacted by five witnesses, but are still anxious to hear from anyone who may have seen either the car or the motorcycle prior or during the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Torrie on (01373) 827689.