A man has died following a two-car collision on the A31

Police were called to reports of a collision near the Coventry Arms pub at 1.20pm on Wednesday. 

The collision involved a grey Vauxhall Astra and a grey Nissan Juke.

The driver of the Astra, a 68-year-old man from Bournemouth, died at the scene.

His next of kin have been informed and the coroner notified.

The driver of the Nissan Juke – a 49-year-old woman from Waterlooville in Hampshire – suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital.

Her condition is not life-threatening. 

Three men who were also travelling in the Juke sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries and were taken to Poole Hospital for treatment.

The road was closed for nearly six hours while collision investigators examined the scene. It opened just before 7pm.

Closures were in place between the Roundhouse and Lake Gates roundabouts and at the turnings to Broadstone and Corfe Mullen and Candy’s Lane.

The fire service sent three fire engines, two from Poole and one from Wimborne.

Initially it was thought three vehicles were involved, but police at the scene confirmed it is two.

Police Sergeant Mark Scammell, of the traffic unit, said: “I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident and has yet to speak to officers to please contact Dorset Police.

“I would like to thank motorists for their patience during the road closures which are necessary to allow emergency services to deal with the incident.”

Traffic is very heavy on alternative routes around the area.

A member of staff at The Coventry Arms pub said: "It looks really serious and we have been told by police that the road is likely to remain closed for another six hours.

“We have a couple of customers who are just going to have to wait in the pub until the road opens again.

“Two air ambulances were called to the scene but they took off again around 3pm."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 12:223.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestopeers-uk.org.