A MAN was taken to hospital after a lorry crashed into scaffolding in the centre of Dorchester, police said.

A lorry hit some scaffolding blocking a road and causing traffic chaos on Monday.

It is understood the vehicle was turning from High East Street into Icen Way when it collided with a scaffolding tower erected at the side of a building.

Police have said a man was injured as a result of the collision. Police could not confirm if the injured man was the driver of the lorry.

READ MORE: Lorry hits scaffolding in Dorchester

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “We were called at 4.38pm on Monday 14 June 2021 to a report of a collision involving a lorry and scaffolding on Icen Way at the junction with High East Street in Dorchester.

“Officers attended with the fire service. One man sustained an injury and was taken to hospital for treatment. The road was closed to allow for removal of the scaffolding. No arrests were made.”

Alastair Clark, who lives nearby, said it appeared the lorry dragged part of the scaffolding along the road before it came to a halt.

He said he understood no-one was on the scaffolding when it was struck.

Police and firefighters were alerted just after 4.30pm on Monday and attended the scene.

Part of High East Street was blocked by the lorry and police put up a cordon and had to direct traffic at the scene.

Mr Clark said: "The scaffolding is up at the Balti Express building on the corner. It appears the lorry turned into the side road and hit the scaffolding, dragging it along the road. Luckily, I don't think anyone was working on it at the time.

"When I went past the scaffolding company were at the scene. They had shored up the scaffolding and some guys were up there. They were dismantling it piece by piece.

"The lorry was sticking out from the corner and blocking part of High East Street so only one lane of traffic could proceed at a time. It was causing terrible traffic jams in the town.

"They seemed to have it all under control and were making the area safe. I'm glad no-one was hurt."

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said a firecrew from Poole attended the scene to make it safe as local teams were tied up on another incident.

The scaffolding at the site was put up by South Western Scaffolding, a spokesman said they were unaware of any injury at the collision site.

They said: “Thankfully no one was on the scaffolding at the time of the accident. "We would like to say thank you to our men for attending to the incident promptly outside of normal work hours.”

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