THREE people were rushed to hospital following a crash on the A37 near Dorchester.

The three-vehicle smash occurred near Wardon Hill at around 4.30pm yesterday.

Motorists faced long delays after police closed the road for around four hours.

The closure was put in place between the Red House roundabout in Yeovil and the clay pigeon raceway junction at Frome St Quintin.

Another road closure was also put in place near Holywell Cross.

Firefighters worked to release three people who had become trapped in their vehicles before they were taken to hospital.

A fourth person was treated by paramedics at the scene and a dog was also injured in the crash.

A spokesman for South Western Ambulance service said: “Two people were taken to Dorset County Hospital and the third to hospital in Yeovil.

“They were all conscious and breathing but the extent of their injuries is unknown.”

She added: “A fourth person was treated on the scene by paramedics.”

A spokesman for Dorset Fire and Rescue confirmed that two people had become physically trapped and the third was medically trapped.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “We were called at 4.30pm |to a road traffic collision on the A37.

“The location given was at Wardon Hill and a road closure is in place between Grimstone and the Red House, Yeovil.

“Another closure is in place near Holywell.”