A woman hit by a car as she unpacked her shopping has suffered life-changing inuries, police say.

The 35-year-old, from Blandford, was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital after the crash, which took place in Pine Road, Winton shortly before 5.20pm.

The collision involved a Ford Focus. The driver of the car made off afterwards.

The NPAS helicopter joined the search for the driver, while an air ambulance landed in nearby Victoria Park for the casualty.

Officers closed the road at the junctions with Wimborne Road and Muscliffe Road. Police searched the area with the assistance of the NPAS helicopter.

A spokesperson from the South Western Ambulance Service said paramedics were treating a female casualty who had suffered “serious” leg injuries.

A paramedic officer and an ambulance were sent to the scene, as well as the air ambulance, which landed at Victoria Park, the Poppies training ground.

Stephen Spiller, a computer technician at E Z Computers opposite Pine Road, said he first heard the “squealing of tyres and an engine going”.

“Then I heard the sound of a collision and somebody screaming. I didn’t actually see anything, though,” he said.

“Not too long afterwards I heard the police helicopter and the air ambulance buzzing overheard and the other emergency vehicles arrive.”

One nearby resident had been told the victim was a young woman who had been putting something in the boot of her car when the collision happened.

She added: “The boot is still open. I think she was crushed between the two cars.

“Police escorted the ambulance away. The police cars had blue lights on.”

A nearby resident, who did not wish to be named, expressed shock at the incident. He said: “I’ve never heard of a hit and run happening around here, and I’ve lived here for a long time.

“It’s shocking. I just hope the injured person is ok and makes a full recovery.”

Police Constable Dave Cotterill, of Dorset Police’s Road Traffic Unit, said: “I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision, or who saw the Ford Focus being driven immediately before the incident, to please contact Dorset Police.

“The road was closed for several hours while emergency services treated the injured woman and collision investigators examined the scene.

“I would like to thank motorists for their patience during the road closures and members of the public for their assistance at the scene.”

A 22-year-old local man has been arrested on suspicion of driving offences and has been released on police bail pending further enquiries until the middle of November 2016.