TRIBUTES have been paid to a tractor driver who lost his life following the horror crash on the A35 Puddletown bypass.

Dennis Watts, from Bere Regis, died after suffering head injuries when his tractor was in collision with an articulated tanker.

People who knew grandfather and father Mr Watts, 56, said he would be sorely missed throughout the village.

Mr Watts was thrown from his John Deere agricultural tractor when it was involved in a crash with the Belgium-registered tanker near Tolpuddle Ball.

He suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to Dorset County Hospital’s intensive care unit at Dorchester, where he died on Tuesday evening.

Mr Watts worked at J V Farming near Dorchester.

J V Farming co-ordination and development spokesman Nick Finding said: “Dennis was a wonderful chap.

“This has left a very big void in our lives here.”

One Bere Regis villager said: “Dennis was very popular in the village, he was very community-spirited. “Every year the school organises a fireworks display and he would always help out with that.”

Rev Ian Woodward, from St John the Baptist Church, Bere Regis, said: “Dennis was well-known in the village and he will be greatly missed.

“Our love, our prayers and our help go out to his partner Jean and all the family at this time.”

Bere Regis councillor Peter Wharf said: “This is just a complete and total tragedy and I would like to express my sincere condolences to all concerned.”

Cllr Wharf said residents in Bere Regis had “real concerns” about the A35 on both sides of the village. “There does seem to be an unusually high number of accidents both east and west of the village,” he added.

  • A Belgian lorry driver was being questioned by police today (April 8).