SEARCH FOR MISSING DRIVER CALLED OFF (From Bournemouth Echo)

SEARCH FOR MISSING DRIVER CALLED OFF

3:00pm Friday 16th January 2009 in Search By James Morton

A MAJOR search for a missing motorist, sparked by the discovery of an overturned car near Lytchett Matravers this morning, has been called off.

Search and rescue teams, police dogs and a coastguard helicopter scoured the area surrounding the A350, where the white Citroen Saxo was found abandoned.

But no trace of the driver was found and police called off the hunt at 10.45am.

The car, registered to a Bournemouth man, was discovered blocking the A350, near the junction with Castle Farm Road, near Lytchett Matravers, just after 5am.

There was no sign of the driver and initial enquires to trace the registered keeper drew a blank.

It was initially feared the motorist could have been badly injured and police are still keen to make contact with them.

A police spokesperson said: “It is possible the driver may be uninjured and may have left the area.

“If this is the case, the driver or anyone knowing the whereabouts of the driver is urged to contact police immediately.”

Dorset Search and Rescue teams used specialist dogs to comb the area around the A350, while the coastguard chopper from Lee-on-Solent was also drafted in to help.

The car was discovered on its roof on the southbound carriageway of the A350, close to the entrance of Woodland Nurseries plant centre on Poole Road.

The A350 was closed between the Roundhouse roundabout and the Jubilee crossroads, where Wimborne Road and Rushall Lane meet the A350.

Police eventually reopened the A350 just before 9.15am.