A MAN has been left with serious injuries after a three-car crash on the A31 near Sturminster Marshall last night.

A section of the road was closed into the night following the collision, which happened east of the Roundhouse Roundabout.

Police, the fire service and the ambulance service were called to the scene and the road was closed between the Roundhouse Roundabout at Sturminster Marshall and the Lake Gates Roundabout at Wimborne.

The cars involved were a Ford Fusion, a Range Rover and a Ford Mondeo.

Speaking to the Daily Echo at the scene, PC Tim Brehmer said it was a serious injury collision.

He added: "It looks as though it's a partial head-on collision between the Fusion and the Range Rover and the Mondeo has followed up behind.

"The Range Rover and Mondeo drivers have suffered minor injuries.

"The driver of the Fusion was trapped for quite a long time. He has been taken to Poole Hospital."

PC Brehmer said that the two Fords were occupied only by their drivers, while the Range Rover also had a passenger inside. The Fusion driver was the only person involved to suffer serious injuries, the extent of which is not yet known.

Fire crews from Poole and Wimborne cut the casualty free and also worked to prevent engine oil from entering drains.

The emergency services were called at 6.15pm.

The road was closed for hours while the scene was examined.

Any further witnesses should contact police on 101, quoting incident 356:22.