Man dies as he is hit by lorry at garden centre

A pedestrian has died when he was hit by a lorry at a garden centre.

Police were called to Stewarts Abbey Garden Centre in Titchfield, Hampshire, shortly after 11:00 GMT on Wednesday.

A man aged in his 70s, from Fareham, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 30-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and later released under investigation, police said.

Stewarts said the customer was hit on an access road off Mill Lane.

In a statement, the firm's owner Martin Stewart expressed his deepest sympathy to the man's family.

He said: "Everyone here is in a profound state of shock; it is very hard to even begin to describe the depth of sadness and horror felt as a result of what has happened.

"I would like to thank those members of the team for all they did to try and save the gentleman.

"Our grateful thanks also go to the emergency services who were magnificent and a great support to all those who witnessed events."

He said the firm had given CCTV footage to the police.

Officers have also appealed for witnesses or drivers with dashcam footage to contact them.

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