A man has died following a crash between a coach, a car and a skip loader on the A31.

All three emergency services and an air ambulance were called to the scene of the collision at the White Post junction near Bere Regis just before 10.30am this morning.

A red Volkswagen Passat, a white single decker Volvo coach and a white Volvo skip loader were involved in the collision. 

The driver of the Volkswagen, a 55-year-old man from Southampton, was pronounced dead at the scene. His family have been informed and the coroner notified.

The driver of the coach, who did not have any passengers on board, received minor injuries and did not require hospital treatment. The driver of the skip loader was uninjured.

South Western Ambulance Service sent three rapid response vehicles and one ambulance. A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said the driver was cut free from the car.

The A31 was closed for nearly six hours in both directions between the Bere Regis roundabout and the Roundhouse roundabout while emergency services dealt with the incident and collision investigators examined the scene.

Motorists were advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes, with diversions put in place. The road was reopened around 4.30pm.

Police Sergeant Phil Lee, of the traffic unit, said: “I am appealing to anyone who was travelling along the A31 and witnessed this collision to please contact Dorset Police.

“I am also keen to hear from anyone who saw the manner of driving of either vehicle immediately before the collision or has a dash cam fitted in their vehicle that may hold vital evidence.

“I appreciate the road closures on this busy route would have caused inconvenience to motorists and I would like to reassure them that they were absolutely necessary to allow the emergency services to carry out their work and to allow for a proper examination of the scene.”

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 incident number 13:141.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.