POLICE are investigating a crash in Gloucestershire which claimed the life of a 28-year-old Swindon man on Sunday morning.

At around 10.30am, the motorcyclist was riding a grey Yamaha R1 on the A4136 from Huntley in the direction of Monmouth.

The motorcyclist was in collision with a car travelling in the opposite direction while passing through the Forest of Dean.

Police and ambulance services were called to a layby between Cinderford and Brierley and the road was closed for several hours.

Three passengers of the grey Fiat involved, along with the driver, a 51-year-old man from the local area, suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.

The air ambulance was scrambled to assist with the injuries sustained by the motorcyclist but he died at the scene.

Police are appealing for any witnesses who were in the area at the time or saw either of the vehicles prior to the crash to come forward and help with the investigation.

A spokesman for Gloucester-shire Police said: “Police are investigating a road traffic collision on the A4136 between Cinderford and Brierley, close to the layby, in which it is now confirmed that a 28-year-old motorcyclist from the Swindon area died.

“The collision occured outside Herbert Lodge, shortly after 10.30am on Sunday, September 28, and involved a grey Yamaha R1 motorcycle being ridden from Huntley towards Monmouth.

“The motorcycle was in collision with a grey Fiat, being driven by a 51-year-old local man, travelling in the opposite direction. The motorcyclist died at the scene.

“The driver of the Fiat and three other occupants were taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital for treatment to injuries that were suspected to be a broken arm and a head injury; these injuries were not considered life-threatening.

“Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen the collision and who has not yet spoken to the police, to call them on 101, quoting incident number 169 of 28/09/14.”

A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service said: “We sent two ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, and the Great Western Air Ambulance was also in attendance.

“On arrival we found three male patients who had been passengers in the car and had suffered minor injuries. They were all taken by land ambulance to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital for further treatment.

“The main focus for the air ambulance was the driver of the motorcycle, who was unfortunately beyond help and died at the scene.”