A BIKER was seriously injured in a collision on the Weymouth to Bridport coast road during a weekend of crash chaos in Dorset.

The smash on the B3157 between Abbotsbury and Swyre yesterday was among a number of incidents dealt with by the county’s emergency services.

Police said the 19-year-old rider suffered a serious arm injury in a collision with a car 2km east of Swyre at 11.25am.

Police, firefighters and paramedics all went to the scene.

The bike rider, from Plymouth, was taken to Dorset County Hospital after initial treatment.

The car driver, a 66-year-old man from the Bridport area and his female passenger, were slightly injured and treated at the scene by paramedics.

The road was closed between Abbotsbury and Burton Brad-stock until 3pm to allow the vehicles to be recovered and an investigation to be carried out.

A Dorset Police spokesman said the rider was on a blue Kawasaki travelling towards Weymouth when he was in collision with a blue Mercedes travelling in the opposite direction.

The crash happened between Abbotsbury and Swyre.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said Bridport crews were alerted to a road traffic collision west of Abbotsbury at 11.30am and there were reports that smoke was coming from a motorcycle involved.

The fire was out on arrival but there was some damage to the bike.

Fire crews left the scene at just before 1pm.

The coast road has seen a number of serious accidents in recent years. White lines and signage were removed by Dorset County Council but reinstated this year after an outcry amid claims they added to the danger on the road.

Elizabeth Edwards who lives near Swyre said: “The accident happened about a mile from us by Tulks Hill.

“There were lots of police cars, ambulances and a fire engine..”

She added: The coast road is notorious for accidents. On that bit of road in particular I think we have had three accidents in 10 years.”

Witnesses to the collision or the manner of driving of either of the vehicles are asked to contact PC Graham of the Dorset Police traffic unit on 101.

Bridge collision leaves woman severely injured

A WOMAN suffered life-changing injuries after her vehicle crashed into a railway bridge near Wareham.

The crash, which took place around 12.10pm on Saturday lunchtime, closed the road for several hours.

The black Alfa Romeo Mito was travelling on Grange Road towards Stoborough when the collision took place.

It caused severe damage to the front of the vehicle.

Emergency services were called and the woman was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital with multiple injuries.

Initially they were thought to be life-threatening but police later described them as ‘life-changing’.

Her condition yesterday was described by a police spokesperson as ‘stable and sedated’.

As a result of the crash, Swanage Railway services were suspended until a full assessment of the bridge could take place.

Only one train was due to pass and that was under an emergency restricted speed of 5mph.

Acting Sgt Lee Savage of Dorset Police, speaking at the scene, said a woman in her 50s, from the Poole area, had been driving the black Alfa Romeo when it was in collision with the bridge.

“While travelling down the road, she has come into contact with the bridge, owned by Swanage Railway.

“We are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen this black Alfa Romeo vehicle with 2010 plates immediately prior to the accident to contact us on 101 quoting incident number 202:11.”

Dorset Fire and Rescue said the service was called at 12.20pm to the single vehicle collision.

A spokesperson said: “A crew from Wareham and Poole attended and on arrival made the vehicle safe and assisted the ambulance crew to carry the patient to the air ambulance, which had landed in a nearby field.”

Collision investigators were on the scene on Saturday afternoon assessing the damage and road.

Richard Jones, general manager at Swanage Railway, said the bridge had been passed fit for use, but a further inspection would take place this week.

He said: “We put an emergency speed restriction of 5mph on the line for the visiting charter train from London Waterloo.

“There will be no more trains over the bridge this week. Checks will be carried out this week to ensure no further damage was inflicted.”

The line is currently not used regularly, only for charter trains, he added.

Swanage Railway took over the lease from owners Dorset County Council, two weeks ago and plans to refurbish the track.

Car hits telegraph pole in B3157 crash

A DRIVER escaped without serious injury after a car left the road and hit a telegraph pole at Chickerell.

It happened on the B3157 past West Street towards Portesham about 9.45am on Saturday and left the telegraph pole badly damaged and leaning slightly towards the road.

Dorset Police said it was alerted to a collision involving a pole and officers were sent to the scene directing traffic.

South Western Ambulance Service also attended the scene but it was not clear whether the male occupant of the vehicle had been taken to hospital.

The road remained open, although it is understood it was closed at some point to allow for recovery work.

The collision happened in the same spot as a crash last October when a car collided with a telegraph pole.

Hunt for hit and run car driver who knocked over cyclist

A CYCLIST was injured in a hit and run collision near Weymouth.

Police are appealing for information after a car collided with a 61-year-old woman on the A353 and failed to stop.

It happened about 7.20pm on Saturday between Osmington and Poxwell, near to the junction heading towards Ringstead.

Police said a 61-year-old woman from Weymouth was cycling on the A353 towards Osmington when she was struck by a car travelling in the same direction. She was knocked from her bike and landed on a grass verge. The driver failed to stop.

The woman sustained minor injuries and South Western Ambulance paramedics took her to Dorset County Hospital to be checked over.

Police said they are looking for a silver Vauxhall Astra-sized car which may have damage to its front passenger wing and/or door. Anyone who witnessed the incident or may have information should contact Dorset Police on 101, quoting incident number 11438.