(Updated 7th January 2013): Police are appealing for witnesses following a road traffic collision on the A6 at Cabus that resulted in the death of 79-year-old Frederick Lang, who lived in Garstang.

Mr Lang served as a police officer in the Lancashire Constabulary from 1956 through until 1961 before moving down to the Midlands.

The incident happened on Friday 4th January at around 7.00pm on Preston Lancaster Road close to Fowler Hill Lane.

A red BMW was travelling south when it collided with a white Volkswagen van. The driver of the BMW, a 79 year old man from Garstang, received multiple injuries and died at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

The driver of the van, a 24 year old man from Forton, did not receive any injuries but was understandably left shaken following the collision.

The road was closed for four hours to allow accident investigation to carry out an examination of the scene and police are now appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Sergeant Gareth Hill from the Road Policing Unit said, “I would appeal to anyone who was in the area and witnessed what happened to come forward and contact the police.

“We are still in the process of tracing the man’s next of kin but every effort is being made and we will have specially trained officers to support them through this difficult time.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Lancashire Constabulary on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.