A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a horrific collision on one of Dorset’s busiest roads yesterday morning.

The A31 at Ferndown was shut for hours following the crash between a car and a motorbike at the junction with Uddens Drive, between Forest Links Road at Ferndown Police Station and the B3073 Wimborne Road West at Canford Bottom roundabout around 7.15am.

Major delays were caused to motorists as a result of the crash, which left the motorcyclist, a 54-year-old man from Bere Regis with multiple injuries.

The road was closed both ways for nearly five hours while police investigators examined the scene and removed the vehicles.

An off-duty police sergeant from the armed response unit, who was travelling home after a night shift at Ferndown, was the first on the scene to deliver CPR to the motorcyclist.

The officer managed to resuscitate him before he was taken to Poole Hospital, where he later died.

The 22-year-old woman from Wimborne, who was driving the silver Peugeot 206 involved in the collision, was shaken but uninjured.

The motorcycle was a silver Honda CBF 1000cc. Sergeant Paul James, the traffic officer at the scene, said: “The motorcyclist was travelling from Canford Bottom roundabout, east towards Ringwood. There was moderate traffic travelling at about 30mph.

“The car driver stopped at the junction from Uddens Drive and looked both ways.

“She saw a big gap and pulled out in order to turn right.

“At the same time the motorbike has started to overtake two cars and a van.

“All said he was travelling at an appropriate speed and manner.

“It appears that he was overtaking the vehicles as the car pulled out.” Sergeant James said there were five witnesses to the collision but that police were appealing for anyone who may have seen the vehicles prior to the incident to contact them.

Motorists were thanked for their patience throughout the road closure.

The A31 reopened around midday although one lane was closed in the afternoon for barrier repairs.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.