Two people were taken to hospital with serious injuries following a crash between a car and a motorbike.

Emergency services were called to Ferry Road, Studland, at around 9.10pm on Tuesday night after a black Suzuki motorcycle collided with a silver Audi S8.

The rider of the motorcycle, a Bournemouth man in his 20s, was taken to Poole Hospital to be treated for leg and head injuries that were not initially believed to be life threatening.

While in hospital, his condition deteriorated and he was transferred to Southampton General Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.

The rider’s pillion passenger, a 17-year-old girl from Austria, was taken to hospital with a fracture to her arm and leg.

A 55-year-old Swanage man has been arrested on suspicion of driving offences and is assisting officers with their inquiries.

Officers from Dorset Police are now appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

Police Sergeant Joe Pardey, of the traffic unit, said: “I am appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this collision and has yet to speak to officers to please contact police.

“I would also like to thank members of the public for their patience and understanding during the road closure, which was necessary to allow the emergency services to carry out their work.”

Ferry Road was closed while the emergency services dealt with the incident and the Sandbanks chain ferry was suspended. The road was reopened at around 11.50pm Police left the scene at 2.30am and the message confirming the road had reopened came through at 6.26am, with the ferry also running as normal this morning.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 22:527. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.