A CHILD has escaped serious injury after being involved in a collision with a lorry.

The youngster, who has not been named, was lucky to escape with only bruising despite apparently making contact with the large haulage lorry.

The incident happened on Gravel Hill just next to the entrance to Poole Grammar School. Police were alerted by a member of public who dialled 999 from a mobile phone shortly before 8.40am reporting that a cyclist had been hurt in a crash.

The road was briefly closed in both directions between Darbys Corner and Dunyeats Road. A closure remained in place at the Darbys Corner roundabout but was lifted just after 11am.

Miraculously the youngster escaped relatively unscathed.

A spokesperson from Dorset Police said: "Officers were called to Gravel Hill at 8.39am after reports of a road traffic collision involving a lorry and a child on a bicycle.

"However, minor injuries only have been reported."

PC Simon Fairholme, Poole traffic officer, said: “We are just starting our investigations. Indications are that the lorry and the cyclist were in connection with each other. The cyclist received very minor injuries – bruising to the leg. He was very lucky he came off lightly – but it shouldn’t have happened.

“My mouth went dry when I got the call – it was very fortunate nothing worse happened.”

He added: “The lad has gone home with his parents. No hospital treatment was needed. He was very lucky.”

The Polish driver of the haulage lorry was helping police with their enquiries yesterday. Officers used a translator to speak with him to help establish what happened.

A spokesperson from the South Western Ambulance Service said crews were called at 8.41am, and a male casualty was treated for injuries which were not believed to be serious.

Poole Councillor David Brown who lives nearby said: "I heard all the sirens this morning and I was very relieved when I saw there were no serious injuries."

He said the road, which is already served by cycle paths, had been earmarked for £4m investment in the Dorset Growth Deal, which would include extending the cycle lane coverage. He added: "We want to encourage young people to cycle to school rather than having more cars on the road, but we need to make sure it is as safe as it possibly can be."

No arrests have been made. Witnesses and anyone with information are asked to contact Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident reference 30:60