A FIREFIGHTER today pleaded with drivers to take extra care after a car smash claimed the life of a young man.

A 22-year-old, who is believed to live locally, was killed after being involved in a collision between a red Ford Fiesta and a 7.5-tonne box van at about 9.30am today on the A4260 between Deddington and Adderbury.

Fire station manager Chris Wilson, who is based at Witney and Burford, said the cause of the accident had not been determined.

But he stressed: "For Pete's sake, drive sensibly in the bad weather.

"Fog and freezing conditions, plus drivers not using their lights, or their gears, or driving far too fast, is creating a situation where we are likely to have more serious road accidents.

"Please slow down and drive appropriately for the weather."

The driver of the car, who has not been named, had to be cut out of his vehicle. He was declared dead at the scene.

The lorry driver and a passenger travelling with him were treated by ambulance staff at the scene for shock, but did not need to go to hospital.

The road between Deddington crossroads and the Milton highways department was closed for several hours while police accident investigators examined the scene.

The road reopened at 2.30pm.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision and are particularly keen to speak to a woman who stopped to give first aid to the casualty but left without giving her details; and to the driver of a green Skoda, who was in front of the Fiesta, heading towards Deddington.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Rob Bull at Bicester Roads Policing Unit on 08458 505505.

  • A family of three managed to get out of their car after it ended up on its side on the B4030 at Upper Heyford.

The two adults and one child all escaped injury.