POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a motorcyclist was killed on one of Hampshire's busiest roads.

David Atherton was about to embark on a motorcycle holiday in France when he fell from his machine and was run over by a vehicle that failed to stop.

The accident happened on the A31 at Ringwood, just before 10.30pm on Thursday.

As reported in yesterday's Daily Echo, Mr Atherton and his brother, who was on another motorcycle, were on their way to Dover to catch a cross-Channel ferry.

A police spokesman said: "For reasons that have yet to be determined, Mr Atherton lost control of his machine and ended up on the carriageway.

"He was then struck by at least one other vehicle, which is believed to have driven over him.

"It's possible that the driver of the car did not stop because he was unaware that the object in the road was a body.

"The vehicle is believed to have been a Chrysler PT Cruiser or Voyager-style vehicle."

Mr Atherton, of Bromham, Bedfordshire, was declared dead at the scene. His brother was treated for severe shock.

The eastbound carriageway of the A31 was closed between Ashley Heath and Ringwood after the accident and did not re-open until shortly after 6am yesterday.

Police officers yesterday carried out a search of the scene.

Anyone with information should ring Hampshire police on 0845 045 4545 and ask for Insp Lee Warhurst or the traffic unit at Lyndhurst police station.