AN INVESTIGATION is ongoing into how a coach ended up in the ditch on the side of the A338 Spur Road.

Police and ambulance were called to the crash on Sunday night, which involved a Laguna Travel coach.

The incident took place on the southbound carriageway of the A338 just off the Ashley Heath roundabout at around 6.01pm.

No passengers were on board the coach at the time, however, the driver, a Bournemouth man, received treatment from paramedics and was taken to Poole General Hospital with suspected minor injuries.

Laguna Travel, which is based in Bournemouth, said they are working with the local authorities to investigate how the crash happened.

The southbound carriageway had to be closed for a period on Sunday night to allow for safe recovery of the vehicle to take place.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "Dorset Police received a report at 6.01pm on Sunday , March 15, of a single vehicle collision involving a coach that had left the carriageway near to the Ashley Heath roundabout on the A338.

"Officers attended, along with the ambulance service, and the driver of the coach – who was the only occupant – was treated by paramedics for injuries that were not believed to be serious.

"A lane closure was put in place to allow the emergency services to deal with the incident and a full closure was put in place from around 8pm to allow for the recovery of the vehicle. The road was fully reopened at around 10.15pm.

"Enquiries into the collision are ongoing. No arrest have been made."

Richard Gwynne, Laguna transport manager, said: "I can confirm that one of our vehicles was involved in an incident on the A338 on Sunday night. There were no passengers on board.

"We are working with the local authorities to investigate internally how the incident happened.

"It would be inappropriate to comment or speculate further at this time."