A MOTORCYCLIST and his pillion passenger are in critical condition in hospital after a collision with a car on Saturday.

The crash, involving a Triumph motorcycle and a Mitsubishi Colt car, happened at on the A30 Sherborne Causeway at Shaftesbury at 12.25pm.

The 51-year-old rider and his passenger, a 50-year-old woman, were airlifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol, where their condition is described as critical but stable.

The driver of the Mitsubishi, an 81-year-old man from Sturminster Newton, was uninjured.

The A30 was closed between Lox Lane and Cherry Orchard Lane while emergency services deal with the incident and investigators examined the scene. The road was reopened around 6.50pm.

Police Constable Tim Gooding, of Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit, said: “I would like to thank motorists for their patience during the road closure which was necessary to allow us to establish what happened.

“I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision or who saw either vehicle being driven prior to the incident, to please call me on 101.”

Anyone calling 101 with information should quote incident number 3:190. Witnesses can also call Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.