TWO pensioners were killed in a car crash on the A429, near Corston, on Monday.

The village has been rocked by the news of the fatal collision, with the parish council describing their distress.

Roger Budgen, chair of the St Paul Malmesbury Without Council, spoke of the shock around Corston following the collision on Monday.

He said: “On behalf of the council, we are all desperately saddened by this recent news, and look forward to an investigation into the incident, to ensure it never happens again.

“We also hope the correct actions are taken for the man who was arrested.

“Obviously people are very shocked that such a terrible accident happened on that road.

“There’s no particular history of accidents along this stretch, but there are several turns and bends along there.

“Rush hour traffic would have been significantly affected by the road closures, with lots of people travelling between Chippenham and Malmesbury, but given the circumstances this doesn’t seem like a big detail.”

Police were called at 4.30pm on Monday, after reports of a serious collision between an Audi A5 and a Honda Jazz on the A429, between Kingway bridge and Corston village.

The front seat passenger in the Honda, a woman aged in her 80s, and a rear seat passenger, a man in his 80s, both from around Buckingham, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Audi, a man in his 30s from Gloucester, suffered minor injuries and was arrested immediately, on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and is currently being held at Gablecross police station, in Swindon for further questioning.

The Honda driver, also a man in his 80s, suffered minor injuries as well.

The road was closed for more than 10 hours while emergency crews worked to clear the scene and police began their investigation.

Police have said that an inquest is soon to be opened by the Wiltshire coroner to find out how the accident happened.

It is understood the crash took place just south of Kingway View, along the A429 Main Road, and that the speed limit was 60mph along that stretch.

This part of the road also had no roadworks along it at the time.

Police are urging witnesses to come forward, and call 101, if they have information about the crash, or if they have dash cam footage they can share with them.