A man was killed and another seriously injured when they were hit by a pick-up truck which had left the road.

Philip Manning, 75, of Hobbs Lane, Beckley, north of Hastings, had been standing chatting to a friend on a verge.

Mr Manning died in the accident. His friend suffered severe injuries and underwent eight hours of intensive surgery in which pins were fitted in a bid to correct fractures in his legs.

The injured man, who is in his 60s, has not been named and was last night recovering at the Conquest Hospital in Hastings.

Police are investigating why the Ford Ranger truck veered off the road as it travelled south-west on the A268 towards Four Oaks at about 2pm on Friday.

The road was closed for more than six hours as emergency crews launched a rescue bid and cleared away debris.

Police detained the truck driver, a man in his late 20s, who is from the Rye area.

He was released on bail to appear for further questions in March next year.

Police want anyone with information about the incident to contact Bexhill Traffic Division on 0845 6070999.