Stolen car 'hits a number of cars' on A338 causing heavy traffic

Police say a car was stolen at an address in Craigmoor Avenue, in Bournemouth, shortly after 8am on Wednesday, January 25 during which a woman sustained an injury to her foot. 

It is then reported that the car was involved in a number of collisions along the A338, close to Cooper Dean Roundabout and the driver reportedly failed to stop at the scene and ran away. 

A further vehicle had reportedly been stolen from Tyrrell Gardens and made off in the direction of Jewell Road before it was located. 

Traffic on A338 (Image: Daily Echo)

Read more: Crash on A338 Wessex Way with Cooper Dean flyover shut

A man was arrested on suspicion of aggravated theft of a motor vehicle.

He has been taken to hospital for treatment to minor injuries.

Drivers in the area were left in delays of more than an hour as police put in road closures.  

A Dorset Police spokeswoman said: “We received a report at 8.09am on Wednesday 25 January 2023 of the theft of a vehicle in Craigmoor Avenue in Bournemouth. A woman sustained an injury to her foot during the incident. 

“Further reports were received at around 8.10am that the car had been involved in a number of collisions along the A338 near to the Cooper Dean roundabout. 

Crash on A338 (Image: Mark Smith)

“It is reported that the driver failed to stop at the scene and made off on foot. Officers attended to carry out searches of the area. 

“A further report was received at around 8.35am that a vehicle had been stolen from Tyrrell Gardens and made off in the direction of Jewell Road. 

“The vehicle was subsequently located and a man was arrested on the A31. He will be taken to hospital for treatment. 

“Road closures are in place to allow emergency services to safely deal with the incident.” 

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Bell, of Bournemouth CID, said: “An investigation is underway into the incidents and I would urge any witnesses, or any motorists with relevant dashcam footage, to please come forward.

“I understand this caused a lot of traffic problems in the area and I would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while road closures remain in place.”

Morebus said there was traffic disruption across the network, with the X1, X2, X3 and X6 services all being diverted between Bournemouth, Boscombe and Royal Bournemouth Hospital.  

Routes 1, 1a, 1b, 2, 4, 14, 15, 20, 23, 24, m1 and U3 are “heavily delayed by stationary traffic” across the area. 

The road remains closed and traffic is still slow. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55230012459.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.