A MAN has been airlifted to hospital and is fighting for his life after a two-vehicle crash in Purbeck.

Emergency services were called to the A352 near East Knighton at 6.11pm on Thursday, December 23, following a report of collision involving a white Renault Trafic van and a blue Ford Ranger.

The driver of the Ford, a man aged in his 50s, was taken by air ambulance to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for treatment to injuries that were believed to be life-threatening. His family are aware.

Road closures were put in place to allow the emergency services to respond to the incident and have remained in place for an examination of the collision scene to be carried out.

Officers investigating the serious-injury road traffic collision are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.

Sergeant Dave Cotterill, of the traffic unit, said: “We are carrying out enquiries to establish the full circumstances of the collision and I am appealing to anyone who witnessed it to please contact us if you have not already spoken to police.

“I would also urge anyone who was travelling in the area around the time of the collision to check any dashcam footage they may have for anything that might assist our investigation.

“Finally, I would like to thank members of the public for their patience and understanding during the road closures. These are absolutely necessary to allow the emergency services to deal with the incident and for a full examination of the scene to be conducted.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online/, via email SCIT@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 23:566. Alternatively, to stay anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call Freephone 0800 555 111.