A MOTORCYCLIST was seriously injured in crash which caused traffic chaos.

It happened on the A353 at Poxwell at around 5.40pm yesterday.

The incident, which involved a motorcycle and a car, led to the closure of the A353 east of Weymouth at rush-hour and there was heavy traffic on roads between Weymouth and Dor-chester as motorists tried to find alternative routes.

Police said the motorcyclist, a man in his 20s, suffered a broken leg and hip injuries.

The accident is believed to have taken place on a bend in the centre of Poxwell.

Police and an ambulance were at the scene.

The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance was also scrambled and landed in a field nearby.

But after paramedics assessed the rider’s injuries it was decided an airlift was not needed and the man was taken to Dorset County Hospital by land ambulance.

The road was closed between Osmington and the A352 junction at Warmwell roundabout for a few hours while recovery was arranged and investigators examined the scene. A Poxwell resident said: “We initially thought it was a fatal accident because the road was closed for a few hours.

“I saw the air ambulance land ing in a field so I thought the injuries must be of a serious nature. There was traffic queuing up in the village and then they closed the road near the Ringstead turning so no more could get through.”

She added: “We’ve been here five years and there’s been a few accidents on the roads near Poxwell but I can’t remember one in the village itself.”

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “At approximately 5.40pm a two vehicle serious injury road traffic collision occurred on the A353 at Poxwell between a car and a motorcycle.

“If the incident or the riding of a black motorcycle bearing L plates was witnessed, the public are asked to contact PC 1823 Stroud on 101 quoting incident number 18:343.”