Three air ambulances were scrambled to a village after a car ploughed into pedestrians and then burst into flames. Emergency services rushed to reports of the serious smash shortly after 8pm on Wednesday night.
A silver Mercedes convertible hit numerous pedestrians and a garden wall, leaving three people seriously wounded. The vehicle burst into a fireball and firefighters were called to extinguish it.
Wales Air Ambulance, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Wiltshire Air Ambulance all attended the scene before airlifting all three casualties to hospital. A man in his 40s, thought to be the driver of the car, reportedly fled the scene and a full-scale manhunt was launched by police.
Two police helicopters, one from Bournemouth and another from Wales, were involved in searching for the suspect. He was located by officers and detained. The suspect was taken to hospital for treatment for minor injuries.
On Thursday morning the road remained closed and was cordoned off as a crime scene, guarded by officers. Forensic work is expected to be carried out throughout the day. Dorset Police said an investigation is ongoing.
A spokesperson for the force said: "Dorset Police received a report at 8.13pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, of a collision in Main Road in Mosterton involving a vehicle and a number of pedestrians. Officers attended along with the fire service, following reports that the car involved was on fire.
"The fire was extinguished and three people were taken by air ambulance to hospital for treatment to serious injuries. Following reports that a man involved in the collision had left the scene, searches were carried out in the area.
"A man aged in his 40s was located and detained before being taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that were not believed to be serious. Enquiries into the incident are ongoing."
