A SOLDIER from Bovington Camp who rushed to help victims of a fatal crash at Wool has described it as a "harrowing scene."

An 86-year-old Swanage woman died, and three others sustained serious injuries, following a two-car head-on smash at Hethfelton Hollow on the A352 shortly after 2.15pm on Sunday.

Ross Heenan, a Royal Scots Dragoon Guard in the British Army, was travelling with two colleagues when they came across the accident.

"We came around the corner and the crash had just happened," said the 22-year-old from Dundee. "We jumped out straight away and helped them.

"We just made sure they were all conscious and reassured them and tried to tell them it was going to be okay and an ambulance was on the its way and wouldn't be long.

"I can't describe how harrowing it was - it was really bad. I am first aid trained to deal with casualties because of my role in the army but it was still absolutely shocking."

The woman was the front-seat passenger of a blue Ford Fiesta, which was being driven by a 60-year-old man from Australia when it was involved in a collision with a white Hyundai i30, being driven by a 36-year-old Wareham man.

Both drivers suffered serious injuries and were taken to Poole Hospital after being cut free from their vehicles by the Dorset Fire and Rescue Service.

The rear seat passenger of the Fiesta, a 51-year-old man from Swanage, suffered very serious injuries and was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital where he remains in a life threatening condition.

Both the Dorset and Somerset and Devon air ambulances were called to the incident.

Four ambulance vehicles also attended and the two drivers were taken by road to Poole Hospital.

Police initially said the elderly woman killed in the collision was 94. Yesterday, they confirmed that she was in fact 86.

The A352 remained closed until 8.50pm to allow collision investigators to examine the scene and clear the road.

Sergeant Nikki Burt, of Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit, said: “I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision or either vehicle being driven prior to the incident to please call me on 101.

“All calls will be treated in strict confidence.”

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 16:286. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.