An elderly man has died after his car crashed into a lamppost near the Chelmsford Sport and Athletic Centre.

The Herts Air Ambulance and Essex Police were called to Melbourne Park, Salerno Way, in Chelmsford, just after 12.15pm yesterday after a blue Ford Focus estate was in collision with a lamp post in the car park.

Sadly the driver, a 78-year-old from Writtle who was a regular visitor to the sports centre, died at the scene.

A spokesman for Chelmsford Sports and Athletics Centre said: “Staff at CSAC were saddened to hear of the death on 20 May of a regular visitor to the centre over the years.

"We would like to express our condolences to his family at this difficult time.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: "Officers from the Essex Police Serious Collision Unit are investigating the incident and are providing support to the family of the man during this difficult time."

An East of England Ambulance service spokesman added: "The East of England Ambulance Service NHs Trust received a call at 12.14pm yesterday to a road traffic collision in Salerno Way, Chelmsford.

"Two ambulance crews, a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance officer and Herts Air Ambulance attended to treat a patient who was unconscious and not breathing.

"Despite, their best efforts, the patient was declared dead at the scene."