A 25-year-old motorcyclist died in a major crash involving two other cars.

The young man, from Portslade, died at the scene in Saddlescombe Road, north of Brighton, where the three vehicles crashed yesterday afternoon.

Two ambulance helicopters were dispatched to help recover those involved.

The road was closed in both directions for most of the afternoon.

One witness said: "I was walking in the area and passed the road an hour later and the police were dealing with a fatality - a motorbike rider. 

"Looked like a collision with a car.

"Sad news."

Steve Davidson from Brighton was walking his dog up Devil's Dyke when he saw two helicopters flying overhead. 

He said: "I was up walking along Devil's Dyke with the dogs and we saw the helicopter coming. 

"We thought nothing of it and thought it might be a tourist one but then we heard loads of sirens and saw people running. 

"There were lots of people running towards the Devil's Dyke Road, something was definitely happening on that side. 

"The helicopter landed near Dyke Road. 

"It also looked like there was another one coming into land as well.

"There were a lot of sirens and a lot of people running."

The Argus:

A police spokesman said: "A motorcyclist has died after being involved in a collision outside Brighton.

"Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision at around 1pm on Sunday (May 12) on Saddlescombe Road, Poynings.

"A motorcycle collided with a black Citroen DS3 and a green Ford Mondeo.

"Sadly, a 25-year-old man from Portslade died at the scene.

"Officers would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or the manner in which any of the vehicles were driven prior to the collision.

"Please contact police online quoting Operation Corfe."

Brighton and Hove bus number 77 was out of service yesterday aternoon for at least five hours due to the accident near Devil's Dyke.