A couple from Moor Park died while on holiday in Dorset after being hit by a car on Saturday night.

Alan Bernard, 53, and his 51-year-old wife Rochelle, from South Approach, died at the scene.

The driver was arrested on suspicion of driving offences and has been bailed.

The car also hit the wall of a house in Banks Road, in the upmarket Sandbanks area.

Staff at Café Shore said police had requested CCTV footage from their bar as it is believed the 33-year-old man had been seen in the venue.

The Bernards, who owned a home in the Sandbanks peninsula, had been walking home with a 60-year-old female friend, who was also injured in the crash.

It is understood the strength of the collision’s impact with the couple left police needing to search bushes and trees around the scene for evidence and debris.

Eyewitness Dave Bloomfield, who lives nearby, said: “We were watching Last Night of the Proms when I heard a loud noise.

“At first I thought it could have been a drum on the television or a thunderstorm. When I opened the curtains to look out onto the road, the accident had just happened.”

“There was a body lying in the middle of the road and another on the pavement. And then there was the car, which looked embedded in the wall.”

Pensioner Brian Phillipson, who lives in an apartment on the corner of Banks Road and Salter Road, said: “My wife heard the bang so we went onto the balcony, they were searching gardens with flash lights.

“The police said they didn’t want us to go outside because somebody had been killed, and we might disturb evidence.”

Another resident said: “I was just going to bed and was turning off the television when I heard a commotion.

“At least a dozen police cars were whizzing up the road. I came out to see what was going on, and stood on the corner where the crash had just happened.

“Apparently they were walking arm in arm along the pavement when the accident happened. It was still quite busy outside when I went to bed at 1am.”

The road was closed until lunchtime on Sunday as officers carried out an exhaustive forensic inspection of the area.

Floral tributes have been laid along Banks Road in memory of the victims.

One read: “Such a tragic accident. I was the first on this horrific scene and I just wish there was more I could have done.”

Did you know the couple? Telephone the news desk on 01923 216295 or leave your tributes below.