A man has died in a crash between a lorry and a van on the A37.
Police investigating the fatal road traffic collision near Dorchester yesterday afternoon are now appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant dashcam footage to come forward.
Officers said at just before 3pm yesterday the force received a report of a collision on the A37 at Wardon Hill near the George Albert Hotel. The collision involved a black Ford Transit panel van and a white Mercedes lorry.
Officers attended, along with the ambulance and fire services. Very sadly, the driver of the van - a man aged in his 70s from Yeovil - was pronounced dead at the scene.
The man’s family has been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers.
The driver of the lorry, a man aged in his 50s and from Newport in Wales, was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that are believed to be serious but not life-threatening.
Road closures were put in place to allow the emergency services to respond to the incident and for a detailed examination of the scene to be carried out.
The road reopened at just before 2am today.
Sergeant Nikki Burt, of the traffic unit, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who died at this difficult time.
“We are carrying out an investigation to establish the circumstances of the collision and I would urge any witnesses who have not already spoken to police to please contact us.
“I would also like to hear from anyone who was travelling in the area at the time of the collision and may have relevant dashcam footage.
“Finally, I would like to thank members of the public for their patience and understanding while the road closures were in place. I appreciate closing this major route would have caused some disruption, but it was absolutely necessary to allow us to deal with the incident and for a thorough examination of the collision scene to take place safely and effectively.”
Road closures were in place between the Holywell Cross junction and the junction with the A356 at Grimstone.
There were said to be delays on the A356 as it is being used as a diversion route between Holywell and Frampton.
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 7:236. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
#TravelDorsetAlert: A37 Long Ash Lane - ROAD CLOSED due to a serious collision.
— Travel Dorset (@TravelDorset) October 7, 2019
Diversion for through traffic between Yeovil and Dorchester is Yeovil > A30 Crewkerne > A356 Frampton and the reverse.
The road is expected to remain closed for a considerable period of time. pic.twitter.com/08HkH4CMqt
Crews from @DWFRSDorchester and Yeovil (@DSFireUpdates) attended to assist at this RTC. The road may be closed for some time so please seek an alternative route, thank you https://t.co/eju8P0Cm5w
— DWFireControl (@DWFireControl) October 7, 2019
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