POLICE are searching for a hit and run driver who struck a male pedestrian in Poole this morning. 

Emergency services were called to Sea View Road in Parkstone at around 10am. It's thought the driver of the car deliberately ploughed into the victim in the car park at Constitution Hill Viewpoint.

A spokesman from Dorset Police said: “At 10.06am on Thursday, November 13, Dorset Police was informed of a failure to stop road traffic collision involving a silver VW and an assault along Sea View Road in Poole.

“The victim, a 33-year-old Poole man, sustained a leg injury and was taken to hospital.

“No arrests have been made.”

The police helicopter was scrambled in a bid to trace the driver.

Critical Incident Inspector Andrew Allkins described the incident as “very serious” and said a lot of police resources were being focussed on investigation.

A spokesman from the South Western Ambulance Service said: "The casualty sustained injuries to both his legs. Two ambulances were sent to the scene and the casualty was taken to Poole Hospital for treatment."

The spokesman said that it was thought that the man was hit deliberately by the vehicle.

His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Police have sectioned off an area of the Constitution Hill Viewpoint car park while crime scene investigators examine scene. Around half a dozen police cars have been seen in the area.

Roger Williams said he saw a “fight” involving two men in the car park before one of the men was struck by a car.

The 52-year-old gardener said: “I heard lots of shouting and saw two chaps fighting next to the toilets at the car park.

“There was a silver car which came over, did a u-turn and drove at the man.

“The car just sped up from behind him. He [the casualty] went up on to the bonnet. He went to the side and then went to the floor.”

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident number 13:102.

The silver car pictured at the scene is not believed to be connected to the incident.