Two fight for lives following crash on A35 near Dorchester

Dorset Police received a report at 9.53am today (Tuesday, September 2) of a two-vehicle collision involving a grey Mercedes Benz and a black Volkswagen Golf on the A35 at Kingston Russell. Emergency services attended and road closures were put in place between Monkeys Jump roundabout in Dorchester and the East Road roundabout in Bridport. Two occupants of the Volkswagen Golf, a 74-year-old man and a 72-year-old woman, were taken to hospital with injuries that are described as life threatening.

The driver of Mercedes was taken to hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening or life changing. Police Sergeant David Cotterill, of the Roads Policing Team, said: "We are carrying out enquiries as we seek to establish the full circumstances of this collision and I would urge any witnesses to please make contact with us. "I am also keen to hear from anyone who was driving in the vicinity and may have captured relevant dashcam footage, as well as anyone who saw the manner of driving of the vehicles involved in the moments leading up to the collision.

"We are particularly keen to hear from the driver of a white van who was travelling in the area at the time of the collision and might have witnessed the incident. You may have information that could assist our enquiries." The fire service previously confirmed that three people had to be cut from a vehicle.

A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called at 10.08am today (2 September) to the A35 near Long Bredy to reports of a two-vehicle road traffic collision. "Two crews are currently in attendance from Bridport and Dorchester where they are using hydraulic cutting equipment to release three casualties from the vehicles." Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police via the website or email at [email protected] or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55250130937.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at its website or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.