A WOMAN in her 80s was seriously injured in a two-car crash on the outskirts of Weymouth.

Emergency services rushed to the scene on the A353 near Poxwell just after 4pm yesterday after a silver Citroen C3 and a silver Volvo estate were in collision at the turning to Ringstead.

The road was closed for a few hours into the evening while rescuers worked at the scene and traffic was diverted.

One woman, in her 80s, suffered serious injuries in the crash and another woman also sustained injuries, though it is not thought these were serious.

Both of the women had to be cut out of their cars by firefighters who used hydraulic cutting equipment.

A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service said two women were taken to Dorset County Hospital following the collision, by land ambulances.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said one car was registered to a local owner and one was registered to an address in Sussex.

Police were forced to close the A353 between the A352 junction in Poxwell and the turning to Sutton Poyntz in Preston. The road was reopened just after 7pm following crash scene investigation work and the recovery of both vehicles.

Police are now also appealing for witnesses or anyone with information of the crash to contact them.

Speaking at the scene, a spokesman for Dorset Police said: "It was a serious injury, two vehicle road traffic collision.

"One of the cars went into the back of a stationary vehicle, which was waiting to turn right towards Ringstead Bay.

"One elderly woman in her 80s sustained serious injuries to her wrists, neck and back and was taken to Dorset County Hospital.

"Another woman also suffered slight injuries and was also taken to hospital, although these injuries were not serious.

"The road was closed for a number of hours to allow for the recovery of the vehicles."

Teresa Seall, West Dorset district councillor for the area, urged motorists to be careful on the stretch of road.

Cllr Seall said: “It can be dangerous there. Like all roads everyone has to be careful and at that time the road can get quite busy so everyone needs to be careful."

She added: “It’s a nasty accident and it’s upsetting for everyone involved, and I’m hoping that everyone involved makes a full recovery.”

Witnesses and anyone with information about the collision can call PC Smith of the traffic division on 101 and quote the incident number I27:336.