A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving after a crash which has left a man fighting for his life.

The collision happened on West Way in Bournemouth on Tuesday, near the junction of Haverstock Road.

A 22-year-old local man driving a silver Citroen Saxo crashed into a tree at around 10am.

Bournemouth Echo:

The Dorset and Somerset air ambulance reportedly landed at the nearby Bournemouth Electric Sports and Social Club playing field.

The man was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital for emergency treatment. Dorset Police say he is in a potentially life-threatening or life-changing condition.

His family have been informed.

Police released a CCTV image of a black Vauxhall Astra which they were urgently trying to trace following the crash.

The car was travelling along West Way at the time of the collision towards Charminster Road.

A 42-year-old man from Bournemouth later came forward and was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. 

He is assisting police with enquiries. 

A black Vauxhall Astra was recovered.

Bournemouth Echo:

Multiple police cars were called to the scene by the ambulance service and West Way was cordoned off between Claremont Avenue and Haverstock Road. A cordon was also in place at the junction of Homeside Road.

When forensics officers arrived at the scene, the cordon was extended further up the road, near the junction with Bankside Road.

The road was not re-opened until shortly after 4.30pm.

Earlier this afternoon, two forensics officers could be seen examining the crashed car, while collision investigators were placing evidence markers on the road, in particular on a bend in the road and at the spot where the car collided with the tree. 

Police Sergeant Fern Graham, of the traffic unit, thanked residents and motorists for their patience during the road closure.

A West Way resident, who did not want to be named, described the scene after the crash.

“I’ve never seen so many police on this road before, and I’ve lived here 40 years. There were at least six or seven cars, as well as a police van.

“A bloke I was talking to who lives on Malvern Road said he heard a huge bang when the crash happened. 

“There was an air ambulance hovering above for a while and it landed in a playing field nearby I think.

“I saw what looked like a young man lying on a stretcher.

“The police have been asking residents if they have any CCTV footage.’’

Lynn Wall said: “I didn’t hear the crash happen, but my husband told me there was a lot of commotion.

“There have been quite a few crashes on this road before, but not really anything as serious as this. I hope the young man will be ok.”

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 15:112. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.