MOTORISTS were stuck in traffic for more than three hours on Monday afternoon, August 8, after a multi-car collision happened northbound on the A338 out of Bournemouth.  

A van, along with a BMW and a Mercedes, were all involved in a crash shortly after 3.30pm, forcing the busy dual carriageway to close for more than two hours. 

PC Matt Weldon, attending the scene, told drivers to avoid the road for a “few hours” as police and fire crews worked to remove the three vehicles and debris. 

Bournemouth Echo: Image by PC Matt WeldonImage by PC Matt Weldon

One person required treatment by an ambulance as a result of the incident, which happened close to Ashley Heath roundabout. 

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: “We received a report at 3.36pm of a three-vehicle collision on the A338 near to the Ashley Heath Roundabout. 

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“A partial road closure has been put in place and one person requires treatment from the ambulance service.” 

Bournemouth Echo: Image by Verwood fire stationImage by Verwood fire station

Firefighters from Verwood fire station attended.

A spokesperson from the fire station said: “All occupants were free of the vehicles and being attended to by the ambulance service.  

“Crew used environment agency pack to soak up fluids from the vehicles and ensure that the vehicles were safe.” 

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A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: “We were called at 15.43hrs to a road traffic collision in the Ashley Heath area.  

Bournemouth Echo: Vehicles recovered. Image by PC Matt WeldonVehicles recovered. Image by PC Matt Weldon

“We sent two double-crewed land ambulances and are conveying two patients to Poole Hospital”.  

The road was described as a “parking lot” by frustrated drivers making their way home during rushhour. 

The accident had a knock-on effect across the conurbation, with heavy congestion around Hurn near the airport, Castlepoint, Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Christchurch, towards Ferndown. 

All three vehicles involved were recovered by 6.20pm, but fluid remains on the road and Dorset Council has been requested to clear it up. The road reopened at 6.25pm.