TWO men have been arrested after a son was killed and his father critically injured in a collision on Thamesdown Drive.

It is believed a red Nissan was turning into Asda and was clipped by a blue Vauxhall Astra travelling in the opposite direction from the Blunsdon Arms Hotel.

Two men in their 20s riding in the Astra suffered minor injuries but one man was killed in the Nissan and his father, who was driving at the time, is in a stable but critical condition.

Police were called at about 6.40am, along with ambulance crews and the fire service who had to cut a man in his 50s free from the driver seat of the Nissan. He was aneasthetised on the scene by paramedics from Wiltshire Air Ambulance and taken by road to Southmead where he remains.

The blue Astra came to rest more than 500 yards from the scene and was on fire when emergency services arrived. The blaze was extinguished within an hour and a half.

The passenger of the Nissan, who was the son of the driver, was thrown from the vehicle and taken to Great Western Hospital where he was confirmed deceased.

A dogs unit was dispatched after the driver of the Astra fled the scene. Two men are currently in custody at Gablecross Police Station in connection with the incident. 

The road is still closed in both ways between Torun Way and Cricklade Road and likely to remain so for a number of hours while a major investigation is carried out.

Sgt Steve Love, of the roads policing team, said: "It would appear that the red Nissan was turning right into the Orbital Retail Park and has been clipped on its near side causing it to spin 360 degrees.

"We have two units from the serious collision investigation team and officers from the Tri-Force roads policing unit in attendance, and due to the nature and scale of the investigation that will have to take place the road is likely to be close for a number of hours.

"We would expect it to last until at least midday, but we will try our best not to impact on the retail park."

As a result drivers are being asked to avoid the area. Diversions are in place and access is still open to the retail park from Westfield Way.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the incident to contact them on non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.