A man has died after a car crash in Orpington yesterday evening (August 3).

It is thought the driver of a black BMW went straight through a mini-roundabout at the end of Shire Lane - at the junction with Farnborough Hill - before crashing into a ditch.

Police and the London Ambulance Service were called at 7.10pm, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Charlotte Collins, 22, who lives in nearby Ramus Wood Avenue, was in her garden when the accident happened.

She said: "At first I didn't think it was a crash - it sounded like a noise made by scaffolding poles.

"It was a really loud, frightening noise. Then I could hear someone shouting and I thought it is definitely a crash.

"A car had gone over straight into a ditch at the end of Shire Lane.

"Fire, police and ambulances showed up but I heard the man didn't make it."

Ms Collins added cars often drive too quickly along Shire Lane, and accidents are frequent along the road.

She said: "It is a dangerous road. People go too fast up it and there is not enough warning at the top.

"The amount of times I have seen accidents along there - something has got to be done."

Jo Johnson, 36, who lives on the same road, agreed with Ms Collins.

She said: "I just heard this horrendous noise, an almighty thump.

"We went out a few minutes later and an ambulance and fire engine had got there.

"It is a very dangerous road - we have lived here for 17 years and it always has been. Cars drive up Shire Lane too quickly.

"Often they are all over the place - there are even people driving on the other side of the road. 

"The speed along there needs to be lowered. There have been a few serious crashes."

An LAS spokesman said: "We sent a single responder by car, an ambulance crew, an advanced paramedic, duty officer and medical team from London's Air Ambulance by car.

"Sadly, despite extensive efforts to resuscitate the person, a man was pronounced dead at the scene by a doctor from London's Air Ambulance."

Next of kin have not been informed and the driver is unidentified at this time.

A post mortem examination will be scheduled in due course.

Officers from the serious collision investigation unit at Catford are leading the inquiry and are appealing for witnesses.

Anyone with information should call police on 0208 285 1574.