TWO drivers had a lucky escape after a crash on a country road which damaged hedges and brought down a telegraph pole.

The two cars involved both left the road and had to be recovered following the collision on the A356 near Maiden Newton on Saturday evening.

Despite the damage one driver was allowed home after being checked by paramedics and the other was taken to hospital suffering only minor injuries.

The incident happened on the road towards Rampisham, just past the Toller Fratrum turning.

Police, firefighters from Maiden Newton and Dorchester and paramedics attended and found both vehicles, a Renault Scenic and a BMW, had left the road.

The road was closed and motorists were advised to use other routes as rescuers worked at the scene.

A Dorset Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Crews requested the help of two light off-road appliances to assist with stabilising the vehicles, and these were sent from Maiden Newton and Beaminster. 

“A total of 12 firefighters and one fire officer were at the scene, stabilising the vehicles and assisting paramedics with two casualties.”

Rescuers were at the scene for almost three hours.

The brigade spokesman said: “Fortunately, both casualties escaped with only minor injuries. One was allowed home after being assessed by paramedics whilst the other was taken to hospital for precautionary checks.”

Police said the Renault Scenic is registered to a Dorchester driver and the BMW has a Somerset keeper.

A spokesman for Dorset Police confirmed a car had gone into a hedge and into a telegraph pole but no serious injuries were caused.

He said: “It was just a slight injury in the end, luckily.

“The road was closed as we were getting the vehicles recovered.”