A GOLF day turned to tragedy when an elderly competitor was knocked down crossing a road and killed.

Golfers and visitors to the open tournament at Droitwich Golf and Country Club, in Ford Lane, were shocked after 77-year-old Arthur Searle was hit by a car as he made his way to another part of the course.

Players must cross Crutch Lane to get from one side of the course to the other.

Mr Searle, who was visiting the course from Windrush, Worlds End, Grimley, died after he was hit by a Volkswagen in the lane at around 3pm last Wednesday.

The retired engineer was taken to the Worcestershire Royal Hospital, but he died around an hour after the collision.

Chris Thompson, secretary at the golf club, said: "Everybody's shocked. It's tragic. Nobody can remember there being an accident like this on the road. The first I knew about it was when I heard the air ambulance coming over.

"Initially, I didn't think anything of it because we get helicopters over quite regularly."

Mr Searle was not a member of Droitwich Golf and Country Club, but had been visiting the 18-hole course from another club.

"They were playing in groups, but I don't think they knew one another," added Mr Thompson.

The Volkswagen was travelling along Crutch lane, from the direction of Upton Warren, when the accident happened at 2.55pm.

Police have been back to the site to collect Mr Searle's car.

An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned by Victor Round, the coroner for Worcestershire, at Stourport-on-Severn yesterday (Tuesday).

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact South Worcestershire police on 08457 444888, quoting incident number 412S/140606 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.