A MAN is fighting for life and two others have been left seriously injured following a crash.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to come forward following the serious crash on the A30 in Shaftesbury.

The two vehicle collision happened just before 1.30pm today, Tuesday.

Police have given an update tonight.

They said the collision occurred on Salisbury Road near to the junction with Greenacre Way and involved a black Hyundai i40 and a black Peugeot 307.

The driver of the Hyundai, a 64-year-old man from Singapore, sustained life-threatening injuries and his passenger, a 95-year-old man from Salisbury, sustained serious injuries.

Both were airlifted by air ambulances and taken to Southampton hospital for treatment.

A 68-year-old Shaftesbury woman, who was the driver of the Peugeot, sustained serious injuries and was taken to Salisbury hospital.

The road was closed throughout the afternoon and into the evening to allow collision investigators to carry out a full and thorough examination of the scene.

Police received reports of a two-vehicle crash at 1.26pm with one person trapped and two others injured.

Fire crews from Shaftesbury, Gillingham and Sturminster Newton attended and helped to release three casualties.

A spokesman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Crews used hydraulic cutting equipment to remove the roof of one of the vehicles."

A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service said: “We received a to reports of a road traffic collision.”

“There are three patients.

“We attended with four rapid response vehicles and four ambulances. Two air ambulances were also in attendance.

“One patient has been taken to Salisbury District Hospital by road. Two patients have been taken Southampton General Hospital by air."

The air ambulances are believed to have landed in the field behind Allen Road.

An onlooker, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I saw two air ambulances land in the field at the back of Allen Road.

“I was walking the dog earlier when I heard them coming over.

“I thought it was the police because we get helicopters flying over quite frequently.

“I hope nobody is seriously injured.”

Sergeant Mark Scammel, of the traffic unit, said: “I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision or the manner of driving of either vehicle immediately before the incident to please contact Dorset Police.

“I would ask anybody who was in the area at the time to consider any dashcam or CCTV footage they may have which could assist us in our investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email at scit@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 12:195. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.