The crossroads in the village of Bransgore in the New Forest has claimed the life of a local boy.  The boy was involved in a collision with a vehicle on Tuesday afternoon at the Crown Inn crossroads. 

Taken to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital in Castle Lane the boy later died of his injuries.  He was named on Wednesday as Aarron John Keeping, a twelve year old of Burnt House Lane, Bransgore, Hampshire.

Aarron was on his pedal cycle when he was involved in a collision with a blue Ford Focus at the junction of Ringwood Road and Burley Road, Bransgore.

The driver of the car, a 25-year-old man, was shaken but uninjured. As is normal procedure in serious incidents he was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and bailed until December.

Tributes of Flowers with messages have been placed at the scene of the crash on Ringwood Road outside the Crown pub.  Just one of the many notes left read:  "You were a credit to your friends and family and we were proud to have known you. You made us smile."

Sergeant Phil Lamb of the Totton Roads Policing said: “Our thoughts are with Aarron’s family at this sad and difficult time.  I’m appealing for anyone who witnessed this collision to contact me as a matter of urgency so we can piece together a better picture of what happened.  The accident happened at approxmiately 4.25pm yesterday." 

The road was subjected to closure while police examiners carried out an investigation at the scene.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Sgt Lamb at the Totton Roads Policing Unit quoting "Operation Parfold" on 0845 045 45 45 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Local residents have called for traffic lights,  a Pelican crossing, speed humps or a 30mph limit at the scene.  They say the dangers could  be compounded because children will be using the road to access the skate park in the village play area.  They have requested a crossing from Hampshire Council through their local councillor but the reply from the County was "not until something serious happens."

This junction is a staggered crossroads with a near blind view of Burley Road caused by the Crown pub building itself, when attempting to turn right from the Ringwood Road towards Winkton.  Many car drivers say also that it is difficult to pull out from the right for vehicles too.

At peak times this road junction is extremely busy for the village due to the nearby shopping centre and the use of these roads as short cuts across the New Forest.

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