RESCUERS have urged drivers to stay safe after a busy morning for emergency crews with a lorry off the road and a car overturned.

The warning comes ahead of the big Christmas getaway tomorrow – dubbed ‘Frantic Friday’ – when there is expected to be travel chaos with the exodus of workers.

Fire chiefs urged people to stay safe and drive carefully when making any journeys over the Christmas period.

In a dramatic incident yesterday, a lorry came off the A35 just outside Winterbourne Abbas.

Emergency services attended the scene near Nine Stones.

Police were called at 11am to reports that a lorry had left the road on the A35 and landed on its side. Amazingly, the driver only suffered minor injuries.

The road was blocked for a time but was not closed.

Due to the size of the vehicle, recovery was due to take place last night when the road would be quieter. Police warned the operation would take some time and the A35 would have to be closed.

A fire crew from Dorchester helped at the scene.

A spokesman for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “One pump from Dorchester was called to provide scene safety following a road traffic collision involving an articulated lorry.

“The crew confirmed there was no fuel leaking and the cargo remained contained on the trailer.”

Earlier yesterday, a person was taken to hospital following a two-vehicle crash on the B3143 Slyer’s Lane just outside Dorchester.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said they were called at 6.21am to reports of a two-vehicle crash on the B3143 near Dorchester. One of the vehicles had overturned in the collision.

Two crew fire crews from Dorchester attended.

A spokesman for for the fire service said: “Fortunately all passengers were free from their vehicles so fire crews assisted police in making the scene safe.

The vehicles involved were a white Renault Kangoo and a silver Honda Accord, and they were recovered in the afternoon.

Giving a general warning about road safety, a fire service spokesman said: “It has been a busy period for road traffic collisions recently due to poor visibility and road conditions at this time of year.

“Please stay safe and drive carefully when making any journeys over the Christmas period.”

According to the AA Charitable Trust, more than 400 million miles will be driven this Friday as families travel home for Christmas.