THERE have been major delays on the A338 Wessex Way this afternoon after a crash involving five cars.

Traffic travelling northbound was at a standstill following the crash, which blocked the road between Castle Lane West (Cooper Dean Roundabout) and Blackwater Junction.

Motorists were reportedly stuck in the gridlock for up to 30 minutes, with some drivers getting out of their cars.

Police officers were turning back traffic so recovery vehicles could get to the scene.

All lanes have now been re-opened, but traffic remains very slow.

There is congestion on the A338 Wessex Way all the way back to Richmond Park Road (Springbourne Roundabout).

There is also very slow traffic on Castle Lane West both ways between Cooper Dean and Whitelegg Way (Redhill Roundabout) as a result of the crash.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: "There is a huge tailback of traffic, but officers are dealing with the situation."

They added officers passed by the crash at around 11.10am, and five vehicles were involved - four BMWs and a Ford Focus.

Two ambulance crews treated "a number of walking wounded patients", according to a South Western Ambulance Service spokesperson.

They added: "One patient was taken to Royal Bournemouth Hospital.There is nothing to suggest they are seriously hurt."