A DRIVER has been arrested after hitting a phone box that has been specially repurposed into a defibrillator and then driving away.

Damage was caused to the phone box in Osmington, which was repurposed into a defibrillator five years ago, as well as a bus stop sign on June 8.

Police said a 33-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly caused damage to the phone box and drove off - leading to a search of the area to locate him.

Dorset Echo: The community's life-saving equipment is located on the A353 - opposite the Sly Fox pubThe community's life-saving equipment is located on the A353 - opposite the Sly Fox pub

The community’s life-saving equipment is located on the A353 Preston Road - opposite the Sly Fox pub - and is regularly maintained by Nick Ireland from Dorset Council, who lives in Osmington.

The doorway to the phone box, which contains the defibrillator, had been ‘ripped off with force’ and there were ‘tyre marks’ left at the scene, he said.

The damage emerged after Christian Eriksen dominated the headlines over the weekend after he collapsed on the pitch during the Denmark versus Finland Euro 2020 game.

Mr Ireland said: “There were fresh tyre marks at the scene which indicates it was a motorist. The defibrillator is still working and the crash hasn’t affected its use. The Osmington area does have a high elderly population. The older someone is, their chances of heart issues increase - and so the Osmington community relies on such life-saving equipment.

Dorset Echo: The post box in Osmington, which was repurposed into a defibrillator five years ago, was damaged by a motorist on Tuesday evening, according to policeThe post box in Osmington, which was repurposed into a defibrillator five years ago, was damaged by a motorist on Tuesday evening, according to police

“It’s not just elderly people who are prone to heart issues. The news of Christian Eriksen suffering a cardiac arrest highlights that. Footballers are some of the healthiest and fittest people on the planet - so heart issues can crop up for anyone, at any time.

“It just shows the importance of such equipment and the community is lucky it’s still working.”

The phone box is owned by Osmington Parish Council and the defib plus 999 ‘phone’ intercom is run by the Osmington Society.

Dorset Police said they received a report at 10.32pm.

“The driver of the vehicle allegedly left the scene and officers carried out a search of the area to locate him. A 33-year-old man from Southampton has been arrested on suspicion of a driving offence and released under investigation while enquiries continue.”