Villagers fought to save a 14-year-old boy killed in an accident near Marlborough yesterday evening.

He died after being in collision with a van at the Clatford crossroads on the A4 about a mile to the West of Marlborough at about 5.50pm yesterday.

The teenager was thrown about 50 yards along the road by the collision with the van, which was heading in the Beckhampton direction.

Other drivers and residents from nearby cottages fought to keep the boy alive using CPR under the direction of Great Western Ambulance control until paramedics arrived and the Wiltshire air ambulance.

Tim Doige who has lived opposite the crossroads for 12 years and works as a presentations consultant said: "The first I knew of it was when I heard this terrible scream that came from a woman who had obviously seen what happened"

Mr Doige said he went out and saw the body of the boy lying about 50 yards to the west of the crossroads and his bicycle was wedged against the front of the van.

He said a group of about six cyclists including the boy's father had ridden down the green lane that leads from Manton Down.

"They were obviously not familiar with this area and did not realise there was a main road at the bottom of the lane," Mr Doige said.

"I feel sorry for the driver"

The family, from Hampshire, is understood to have been staying at Marlborough College Summer School and after a day attending courses had gone for a ride along the Ridgeway and were heading along green lanes on their way to Avebury at the time of the tragedy.