A MOTORCYCLIST has been airlifted to hospital in a critical condition following a crash in north Dorset.

The rider, a man in his 20s from Somerset, suffered life-threatening injuries in the accident near Sturminster Newton on Thursday.

Emergency services were called to Lancashire Lane, near Gibbs Marsh Trading Estate in Stalbridge, around 5.49pm.

The collision involved a black Yamaha motorcycle ridden by the casualty and a black Nissan Micra car. The driver of the car was uninjured.

Police Sergeant Sarah Jones, of the traffic unit, said: “An investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances of this collision.

“I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident and has not already spoken to police to please get in touch.

“I would also ask any motorists who have dashcam fitted to their vehicles and were travelling in the area the time of the collision, or just before, to please check their cameras for any relevant footage.”

The rider was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital.

He remains in hospital in a critical condition and his family has been informed.

The road was closed to allow emergency services to deal with the incident.

It reopened at around 1am the following day.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email SCIT@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 8:314.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call freephone 0800 555 111.