POLICE are appealing for information after a man thought to have ‘serious injuries’ has gone missing following a road accident near Bridport.

Dorset Police believe the collision may be linked to an earlier altercation which took place on East Street last night.

The collision happened at 12.06am on the A3066 Bridport to Beaminster road at Melplash.

According to Dorset Police a red Ford Fiesta, registered to a man from Bridport, left the road and went into the verge.

One man was found at the scene and received treatment to minor cuts.

Police Sergeant Nikki Burt, of Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit, said: “We believe a second man was in the vehicle at the time of the collision and may have sustained serious injuries.

“We are keen to find this man to ensure he receives medical treatment. I would urge anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have seen a red Ford Fiesta being driven in and around the Bridport area on Tuesday evening, to call me in confidence.”

A search of the area close to the A3066 was carried out overnight involving police officers, the dog section and the NPAS helicopter but nothing was found.

The road was closed overnight to allow collision investigators to examine the scene. It reopened at 8.21am.

A 24-year-old man from Bridport has been arrested on suspicion of traffic offences and is currently assisting police with their enquiries.

Insp. Mike Darby of Bridport Police said: “We believe the incident was potentially linked to an altercation in Bridport town centre earlier, which happened in East Street at around 11.30pm last night.

He stressed no weapons were used in the altercation and there were no serious injuries as a result of that incident.

He added: “We had reports of the collision, which we later linked to the altercation. Due to the scene of the accident we believe a second person was involved.

“One man was detained and is currently in custody. We are concerned about the welfare of the second man.

“We are appealing for witnesses to both incidents, including anybody who was walking along that road at around midnight.”

Witnesses and anyone with information about either incident should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101, quoting incident number 28:1.

Alternatively, call the Crimestoppers line anonymously on 0800 555 111.