ARREST OVER TEEN ROAD DEATH
From the Echo, first published Tuesday 21st Oct 2003.
POLICE have arrested a 31-year-old man in connection with the suspicious death of a North Dorset woman.
The body of the 19-year-old victim was found by the side of an unclassified road between Tarrant Monkton and Tarrant Rawston near Blandford around midnight on Sunday.
A bicycle, thought to be the victim's, was found nearby.
On the way to the scene officers came across a red and white motor caravan style vehicle with front end damage which appeared to have come off the B3082 Wimborne to Blandford road near the Ashley Wood golf course.
Detectives are now trying to establish if the two incidents are connected. An incident room has been set up at Blandford police station.
A post mortem was due to be carried out yesterday afternoon on the victim who was well known in the area.
Meanwhile local residents were left shocked at the news of her death.
South Tarrant Valley Parish Clerk Caroline Tory said: "All we heard is that Vicky, who worked as a barmaid at the Langton Arms, was knocked over. It is all a bit of a shock.
"There is a lot of police around but we don't really know what happened."
Tarrant valley farmer Nick Harding said: "I have met the girl but I didn't really know her. It's all very sad."
Staff at the Langton Arms did not wish to comment stating they were still in shock at what had happened to their colleague.
Detectives launched a major investigation following the incident.
Several roads in the Tarrant Valley area and much of the B3082 Wimborne to Blandford road was shut off for more than 12 hours yesterday while police searched the scene.
Scenes of crime officers and forensic specialists combed the area for clues. Sniffer dogs were also brought in to help in the investigation.
The man, who is believed to be local, was being questioned yesterday by officers at Poole police station.
Meanwhile police are appealing for witnesses, particularly anyone who was in the Langton Arms pub at Tarrant Monkton on Sunday afternoon between 4pm and midnight to come forward.
A police spokesman said: "Police, the road policing unit and CID are on scene trying to fully ascertain all the facts as to what happened in this tragic incident."
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