A CYCLIST died after a collision with a horse box on the A419 dual carriageway near Swindon.

The 23-year-old, from the Chiseldon area, was pronounced dead at the scene close to the Commonhead roundabout at 9.40pm on Friday.

PC Steve Cox, of Wiltshire police’s serious collision team, said it was thought that the victim was southbound when he was hit from the rear by the Leyland Daf horse box and was subsequently hit by several other vehicles.

He added that it was believed that the dead man was cycling without lights.

The road was closed throughout the night while officers investigated.

A spokesman for the Great Western Ambulance Service said they were called at 9.36pm by a passer-by who had seen the bicycle and a person lying next to it on the side of the slip road that goes towards the roundabout.

They then received another call from the police, reporting a fatal car and bicycle collision.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Fire and Rescue service said they had been called out to assist the police in lighting the scene during the night.

Police would like to hear from witnesses, in particular from the driver of a white Mercedes Sprinter van which was travelling south following the accident, and who may remember passing a marked police vehicle.

Witnesses should call PC Hunt, of the serious collision investigation team, at Chippenham Police Station, on 0845 408 7000. They can also leave information anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.