Bus crash in Dorset

31/07/2008

An open top double decker bus and two cars have crashed in Dorset leaving 25 people injured and eight needing to be airlifted to hospital in Dorchester.

The crash took place on the Studland side of Poole Harbour throwing passengers from the top deck of the bus and trapping people on the lower floor on its journey from Swanage to Bournemouth.

Eyewitnesses described the incident saying that a Porsche had crashed into the bus about a quarter of a mile from the Sandbanks chain ferry which remains closed and is reserved for emergency services.

A spokesman for the South Western Ambulance Service described casualties to include shoulder and leg injuries. An air ambulance, Portland Coastguard's rescue helicopter and fire crews also attended the scene.

A further four people were taken to Poole General Hospital following the crash.

David Urpeth from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: This was a very serious road traffic accident, the exact circumstances of which are currently unclear.

"Sadly, many people have suffered injury in this road crash. Those injured may be able to pursue claims for compensation.

"Anyone injured should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Irwin Mitchell has many years experience of dealing with large group actions including cases involving transport crashes.

"I regularly represent people injured or killed in road traffic accidents."