A 91-YEAR-OLD man was seriously injured after his mobility scooter was in a collision with an oncoming van.

Dorset Police said he suffered “possibly life changing injuries” to his head, hand and pelvis in Ferndown yesterday.

The scooter driver, who was from Ferndown, was injured in a layby at around noon on the A348 Ringwood Road by the Church Road junction.

Jayne Dimpsey, 46, from nearby St Mary’s veterinary surgery, said: “I heard what sounded like a vehicle braking.

“I turned round and saw the chap in the road.

“He had a big bump on his head and the backs of his hands had been scraped. I just said, ‘Don’t move’.

“He said that he was on the pavement and his wheel went off the kerb.

“The van driver was on his phone to the paramedics. The wheelchair was on its side.”

The scooter was heading towards Ferndown centre. The Vauxhall Vivaro was driven by a 53-year-old Poole man.

Traffic police examined the scene and chalked out two blood stains on the ground and a scrape on the kerb.

The scooter stood apparently undamaged in the layby, just south of the junction, and was wheeled away for checks.

Janet Bourne, 68, a retired manager of a women’s refuge, said: “I saw the gentleman lying on his back by the kerb.

“He seemed to be unconscious. There were lots of |people around him and an ambulance.”

Barry Russell, 38, a Ferndown council worker from Bournemouth, said: “I saw what looked like a pillow with a lot of blood on it.

“The man was absolutely still. He had an oxygen mask on.”

Sgt Rhys Griffiths said at the scene: “It’s a serious road traffic collision.”

South West Ambulance Service said it took the victim to Poole Hospital.

Police closed off the westbound carriageway and the road was reopened around 4pm.

The van was also taken away for further investigation.

Witnesses to the incident are asked to call PC 1936 Rogers on 101.