A MAN died when his car crashed into a lamp post in Barnstaple.

Police said the 27-year-old man lived locally but he has not yet been named.

The man is understood to be of Polish origin and to have a nine-year-old son.

His wife is understood to have died about two months ago from medical complications.

The man died on Sunday in an accident which happened at about 2.55am.

The black Mitsubishi Outlander he was driving crashed into a lamp post near the top of Sticklepath Hill, Barnstaple.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The man was travelling alone in the car towards Bickington. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

Barnstaple taxi driver, 29-year-old Jo Phillips, was one of the first on the scene.

She said: "I was on my way to a job when I saw one of my colleagues parked up near the smashed up car. It was in the middle of the road and was in a very bad state — bits of the car were scattered all over the road and I think it must have hit a lamp post too.

"Judging by the damage, it must have been travelling very fast to end up in a state like that. The driver was hanging out of the window.

"I couldn't go back to work, I felt sick and was in a state of shock. When I went home I couldn't get to sleep all night. I feel so sorry for his family."

One neighbour said he was woken up by the crash which sounded like an explosion.

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "It's devastating. You feel so sorry for the parents of this young lad — I can't begin to imagine how they are feeling."

A section of Sticklepath Hill was closed for several hours but later reopened.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to telephone 08452 777444 and quote log 213 of 161108.