A man from Exeter has been arrested following a serious collision on the A35 in Dorset. The road, not far from the Devon border, remains closed 18 hours after the crash which happened near Winterbourne Abbas on Wednesday night.
Dorset Police received a report at 6.35pm on Wednesday, April 10, of a collision on the A35 near Winterbourne Abbas involving a blue and white Isuzu Tipper lorry and a white DAF rigid tanker lorry. Emergency services attended and road closures were put in place as they responded to the incident.
One of the drivers was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that are believed to be life changing. A 45-year-old man from Exeter has been arrested on suspicion of driving offences following the incident.
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Officers from Dorset Police are now appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage. The road remains closed by the local authority for necessary maintenance as there was a significant diesel spill. Emergency resurfacing is required and the road will be closed until at least 3pm today.
Sergeant Mike Gatfield, of the Roads Policing Team, said: “We are carrying out enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this collision and I am appealing to any witnesses who have not already spoken to police to please get in touch. I would also like to hear from any motorists who were travelling nearby and may have captured anything of relevance on dashcam footage.
“Finally, I understand the road closure would have had an impact in the area and I would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding. This enabled us to safely deal with the incident and investigate the scene.”
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 occurrence number 55240053005. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.
Diversion Route
Road users travelling westbound are advised to follow the Hollow Diamond diversion symbol on road signs
Westbound
- Exit the A35 onto the A37 at Poundbury.
- Take the A37 towards Wrackford/Stratton/Grimstone then join the A356
- Stay on the A356 until you reach the A3066 near Misterton
- Take the A3066 south and continue to the East Road roundabout
- Take the 2nd exit on the East Road roundabout and re-join the A35.
Road users travelling eastbound are advised to follow the non-symbol led diversion route.
Eastbound
- At the East Road Roundabout take the second exit on to the A3066
- Continue on the A3066 northbound to Misterton and the junction with the A356
- Turn right on to the A356
- Continue on the A356 through Grimstone/Stratton/Wrackford
- At Frampton turn right on to the A37
- Follow the A37 towards Dorchester and re-join the A35 at Monkey's Jump Roundabout
If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey. Further information is available from National Highways by visiting our www.trafficengland.com website and travel apps, or via our regional @HighwaysSWest X feed. Our 24/7 contact centre team is also available to provide up to the minute information on 0300 123 5000.
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Dorset Police statement
Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward following a serious injury collision near Dorchester.
Dorset Police received a report at 6.35pm on Wednesday 10 April 2024 of a collision on the A35 near Winterbourne Abbas involving a blue and white Isuzu Tipper lorry and a white DAF rigid tanker lorry.
Emergency services attended and road closures were put in place as they responded to the incident.
One of the drivers was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that are believed to be life changing.
A 45-year-old man from Exeter was arrested on suspicion of driving offences.
The road remains closed by the local authority for necessary maintenance.
Sergeant Mike Gatfield, of the Roads Policing Team, said: “We are carrying out enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this collision and I am appealing to any witnesses who have not already spoken to police to please get in touch.
“I would also like to hear from any motorists who were travelling nearby and may have captured anything of relevance on dashcam footage.
“Finally, I understand the road closure would have had an impact in the area and I would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding. This enabled us to safely deal with the incident and investigate the scene.”
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 occurrence number 55240053005. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.
