MOTORISTS faced traffic chaos after a three-vehicle crash closed a busy Dorset road during rush hour this morning.

Police were first called to the A35 at Woodbury Cross, near Bere Regis, at 8.10am after a vehicle towing a boat broke down.

Around twenty minutes later two cars and a tractor towing a trailer were involved in a collision just a few metres from the boat, which was awaiting recovery at the side of the road.

The crash, which happened at the junction to Sugar Hill, involved a red Ford Puma and a silver Peugeot estate.

PC Rhiannon Stroud, of Dorset Police's Traffic Unit, said: “The red Puma, which was turning right, collided with a silver Peugeot.

“The silver car clipped the back of the trailer of a tractor which was travelling in the opposite direction.”

Firefighters were scrambled to the scene and used hydraulic cutting equipment to rescue the driver of the Ford Puma, who was then treated by paramedics.

A spokesman from the South Western Ambulance service said: “We were called to the scene at 8.37am following reports a female had suffered a neck injury. She was taken to Poole Hospital for treatment.”

The woman's injuries are not thought to be serious. No one else was injured in the crash.

Motorists reported traffic was at a complete standstill after the A35 was closed eastbound between Bere Regis and the Bakers Arms Roundabout.

The road was reopened at around 10.30am.

PC Stroud added: “We would like to thank the public for their patience while we were dealing with this incident.”