Pedestrian dies in festival car accident

A man died today after being hit by a car outside a music festival.

Shortly after midnight, two pedestrians, a man and a woman, were involved in the accident on Mersley Down Road, Isle of Wight, close to the Bestival event site.

The accident happened shortly after the evening's headliners The Flaming Lips had finished their set.

The two received medical attention at the scene and were taken to St Mary's Hospital in Newport on the island.

The man was later pronounced dead in hospital, according to police.

A 33-year-old man from Worthing, West Sussex, was arrested on Mersley Down Road shortly before 1.30am on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, according to police.

A Hampshire and Isle of Wight police spokesman said: "Police are in the process of informing next-of-kin.

"The woman remains in hospital where she is receiving further medical attention for injuries, which are not believed to be life threatening at this time."

Part of Mersley Down Road was closed by police so an investigation into the collision can take place.

Police are working with Bestival organisers to establish whether any of the people involved in the collision were connected to the music festival.

A Bestival spokesman said: "This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the families affected. We are assisting the police with their investigation."

A total of 50,000 people are attending the three-day festival at Robin Hill Country Park.

The event, organised by Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank, is headlined by Dizzee Rascal, The Flaming Lips and The Prodigy.