A POSTMAN was taken to hospital with “serious” injuries following a crash at rush hour in Christchurch.

The man, aged 55 and from Christchurch, suffered head, chest and leg injuries from the incident in Barrack Road. The crash involved a silver Volkswagen Golf.

Bournemouth Echo:

Members of the public rushed to support the postman after the collision.

The driver of the Golf, a woman from Christchurch aged in her 60s, was not injured.

Ambulance and police were called to the scene, which was between Devon Road and Beaulieu Road, at 8.41am.

Collision investigation officers arrived around 10am and carried out a detailed and thorough examination of the area.

Debris from the car was strewn across the road, while the vehicle’s bonnet was left dented and front windscreen smashed.

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: “Unfortunately a 55-year-old postman was knocked down by another vehicle this morning in Barrack Road, Christchurch, while he was out delivering.

“He has been taken to hospital with serious injuries. We are helping the police with their enquiries. All his colleagues at Christchurch Delivery Office are thinking about him and his family at this difficult time.”

Bournemouth Echo:

A cordon was put in place by police and the road was closed in both directions.

Traffic was unable to access Barrack Road from The Grove and Iford Bridge.

Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians were also forced to use side roads after reaching the cordon from the Christchurch end of Barrack Road.

Due to the road closure, traffic was heavier than usual on Fairmile Road and due to a southbound lane closure on the Spur Road.

Vehicles queued along The Grove in both directions as they were diverted away from the scene of the crash.

Police Sergeant Phil Lee, of the traffic unit, said: “A full investigation is underway to establish the circumstances of this collision.

“I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision and has not yet spoken to officers to please contact Dorset Police.

“I am also keen to hear from any motorists who were travelling along Barrack Road at the time of the incident and may have captured all or part of the collision recorded on their dashcam.”

Barrack Road reopened around 12.30pm.