POLICE are investigating the cause of a car crash near Wootton Bassett on Sunday December 3 in which father-of-three Ian Rayne was killed.

Mr Rayne, 36, of Brooklands, Brinkworth, died from multiple injuries, but his nine-year-old daughter Louise escaped the single vehicle accident with minor injuries.

Louise, who has a twin, was sitting next to her father in the front passenger seat when the car left the road and hit a tree at Ballards Ash, outside Brinkworth, at about 6pm.

The impact caused Mr Rayne to be thrown from the vehicle and he was found lying in the road a few metres from his red Audi 80 saloon.

He was later pronounced dead at the scene by a doctor.

Police said that by co-incidence, friends of the Rayne family drove past the scene minutes after the accident happened. The names of the friends have not been released.

Police said Louise was discovered still sitting in the wrecked vehicle, with her seatbelt on.

Police spokesman Nick Blencowe said: "Louise was simply sitting in the car, not because she was trapped, but obviously because she was in a state of shock."

The friends helped Louise from the car and contacted police and the ambulance services by mobile telephone.

Louise was taken to Swindon's Princess Margaret Hospital where she was treated for chafing to her neck caused by the seatbelt, and grazing to her head.

Sgt Blencowe said: "She was later released and taken home to the care of her mother."

Louise's half-brother, David Hammonds, 19, said from the family's home: "Louise is all right. But we are still in shock and trying to come to terms with the tragedy. We ask people to respect our privacy."

Mr Rayne worked in Swindon as a demonstration car delivery driver. He leaves his wife, Gillian, step-son David, Louise and her twin sister, Tasha, nine.

Mr Hammonds said the family moved to Brinkworth from Wales about six years ago. He said the family had not yet made arrangements for Mr Rayne's funeral.

Mr Rayne was driving towards Wootten Bassett on the B4042 when the accident happened. Police say the car veered off the road and mounted a grass verge before it hit the tree, but they do not know why.

Sgt Blencowe said it was not known if Mr Rayne was wearing a seatbelt, or how he was thrown from the vehicle.

He said: "We don't know at this stage because the vehicle was so extensively damaged. It was a complete write-off."

PC Melanie Rolf said police were still puzzled as to the cause of the accident.

She said: "We are taking statements and carrying out investigations, but we don't know what caused the car to swerve. Was it a problem with the road, was it driver error or did an animal run out into the road? It's all pure supposition at the moment."

Police have called on anyone who may have seen the Audi prior to the crash, or witnessed the accident to contact investigating officer PC Ian Soulsby on (01380) 722141 or their local police station.

Mr Rayne's family have also appealed to witnesses to come forward.