Officers investigating a fatal road traffic collision on the A35 in West Dorset are appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant dashcam footage to come forward.
Dorset Police received a report at 5.46am on Sunday 31 October 2021 of a single vehicle collision involving a silver Vauxhall Astra that had left the carriageway west of Charmouth near to Monkton Wyld and collided with a tree.
Officers attended along with the fire and ambulance services and, very sadly, one of the occupants of the vehicle – a man aged in his 20s from Plymouth in Devon – was pronounced dead at the scene. His family has been informed.
Another man, aged in his 30s and from London, was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital for treatment to injuries that were believed to be serious but not life-threatening.
Road closures were put in place to allow emergency services to deal with the incident and for a detailed examination of the scene to be carried out. The road was reopened shortly after 1pm.
Sergeant Rhys Griffiths, of the traffic unit, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who sadly died and we owe it to them to carry out a full investigation into the circumstances of this collision.
“I would ask any witnesses to the manner of driving of the silver Astra prior to the collision to please contact us. From our enquiries we understand the vehicle had travelled west from Bridport along the A35 and has distinctive Isle of Man number plates.
“I am also keen to hear from anyone who was driving on the A35 between Lyme Regis and Raymond’s Hill from around 5.30am to 6am on the morning of the collision who has dashcam footage of their journey, as it may assist our investigation.
“Finally, I appreciate this collision resulted in the closure of a major route for a significant period of time and I want to thank the public for their patience and understanding. The closure is absolutely necessary to allow the emergency services to respond to the incident and for an examination of the scene to be conducted.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101 quoting incident number 31:203. Alternatively, to stay 100 per cent anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call Freephone 0800 555 111.
