Three-year-old girl in life-threatening condition and two women seriously injured after crash at A354 Thickthorn Cross, Blandford

The A354 at Thickthorn Cross was closed both ways for around seven hours following the collision between a white Ford Transit van and a silver Vauxhall Astra at around 7.50am on Thursday.

The driver of the Astra, a 34-year-old woman from Shaftesbury, sustained a serious head injury and her three-year-old daughter sustained a life-threatening head injury. They were flown by air ambulance to Southampton General Hospital.

The driver of the van, a 44-year-old woman from Salisbury, also sustained serious injuries and was taken to Salisbury District Hospital for treatment. All the people involved are being supported by specially trained officers.

The road remained closed between the B3081 Sixpenny Handley roundabout and the Long Critchel junction while the emergency services dealt with the incident and for “essential forensic examination of the scene and vehicles involved”. It was re-opened shortly before 3pm.

Police Sergeant Phil Lee, of the traffic unit, is urging anyone who witnessed the crash or saw the manner of driving of either vehicle immediately prior to it to contact police.

“In particular, I would like the driver of a Silver Volkswagen Passat estate which negotiated that junction immediately prior to the collision to contact us as they may have information relevant to this investigation.

“I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who was travelling on the A354 at the relevant time and may have captured the incident on dashcam.”

He added: “Finally, I appreciate this collision occurred on the first day of the Great Dorset Steam Fair and the road closures have caused considerable congestion in the area.

"We apologise for the inconvenience caused to motorists and residents, but I would like reassure them that the closures were absolutely necessary to allow us to tend to the injured and investigate this collision thoroughly.”