Man fighting for life after broken down Range Rover crashes

The man, in his 20s and from Bournemouth, was in Exeter Crescent, behind BH2 in Bournemouth, when he was struck by a black Range Rover on Friday evening. 

It’s believed the broken-down car was being recovered onto the back of a recovery lorry when it ‘started to roll back’ down the sloped road, according to witnesses. 

The Range Rover then collided with two people before coming to a stop at the bottom of the slope before the gardens.

Range Rover (Image: Daily Echo)

Air ambulance in the Lower Gardens (Image: Daily Echo)

The man in his 20s was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital by the air ambulance team, who landed in the Lower Gardens. The man’s family has been informed. 

Meanwhile the second man, in his 50s also from Bournemouth, suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital. 

Exeter Crescent and Exeter Road were both closed by police while paramedics and officers dealt with the incident. 

Road traffic officers were seen investigating the Range Rover which had been left with its bonnet up at the bottom of the road. Chocks were also stopping the car from rolling down the slope. 

Meanwhile, the cordon put up along the road meant many residents visiting the town centre who had parked in Exeter Crescent and BH2's car parks couldn't leave for a while. 

One resident waiting to leave the car park said: “We haven’t been told how long it will be before we can go. The whole road has been blocked off.” 

Many people stuck in the car park watched on as a crowd of paramedics attended to one person on a stretcher. 

One woman said: "The car rolled down the road and hit people. It was being recovered by the lorry and somehow something went wrong and it rolled back, running over some people. 

“It looked like the recovery man was also hit too. One of the men had a lot of blood on his face.” 

Eventually, cars were told to leave the car park via the Lower Gardens. 

Now, police officers are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened at around 6.30pm on Friday, March 22. 

Cars had to leave via the Lower Gardens (Image: Daily Echo)

Police sergeant Richard Stroud, of the roads policing team, said: “An investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances of what happened. Our early enquiries at the scene indicate that the Range Rover was being recovered at the time of the incident. 

“I understand the town centre was busy at the time and I am keen to hear from any witnesses who saw what happened and have not already spoken to police. 

“Also, if anyone has captured anything of relevance on CCTV or mobile phone footage, please contact Dorset Police. 

“Finally, I would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while a number of closures were in place. These were essential to allow us to treat the injured people and carry out a detailed scene examination.” 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email at scit@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240043280.  

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