Motorists ‘shouted at police’ at Dorchester Road crash scene

Emergency services, including the air ambulance, rushed to Dorchester Road in Weymouth after a woman, aged in her 70s, was hit by a car. Police cordoned off the road near Lidl while paramedics and firefighters worked at the scene. [1] At the time of writing, the woman, who was airlifted to Southampton Hospital, remains in a life-threatening condition.

One eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, said they saw a motorist attempting to travel down Dorchester Road just as it was being closed following the crash, and claims they became 'increasingly frustrated' with a police officer, 'shouting louder and louder before eventually relenting.' They claim others tried to continue along the road as a cordon was being put in place. "Eventually, after more police arrived, a more substantial roadblock was put in place with signage directing traffic," they said.

"It made me feel very uncomfortable. They didn't seem to understand it was a serious incident and there were easy alternatives to take." Cllr Jon Orrell was diverted around the incident by police on his way home from work.

He said: "That road is not one of the hotspots but there are a lot of vulnerable people there. "My hopes are for the person to make a full recovery. "I urge drivers to be patient when the road is blocked by police.

The person being helped could just as easily be them so we all need to be patient." Dorset Police have been asked for comment. According to the force, the crash, which happened on Wednesday evening, involved a blue Mitsubishi car - driven by a man in his 60s and from Hertfordshire - and a pedestrian.

The woman was subsequently airlifted to hospital. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing. In a previous statement to the Echo, Police Sergeant Richard Stroud, of the Roads Policing Team, said: "We are conducting a full investigation into the circumstances of the incident.

"I am appealing for any witnesses to the collision who have not already spoken with officers to please come forward. "Also, I am keen to hear from anyone who has a dashcam fitted to their vehicle and was in the area at the time to check whether they may have captured anything of relevance that might assist our investigation. "Finally, I would like to thank motorists for their patience and understanding during the road closure."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk, via email at [email protected] or by calling 101, quoting number 13:445.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111[2].

References

1. ^ Police cordoned off the road near Lidl while paramedics and firefighters worked at the scene. (www.dorsetecho.co.uk)
2. ^ 0800 555 111 (www.dorsetecho.co.uk)