Wiltshire Air Ambulance medics were among the emergency services scrambled to a serious crash in Dorset – which claimed the life of a woman.
999 crews rushed to the sleepy village of Mosterton, near Beaminster, at around 8pm last night (08/02) following reports of three pedestrians being hit by a car.
Two women and a young boy, who was in a pushchair, were struck by a light blue Mercedes convertible moments before it burst into a raging fireball.
All three casualties were airlifted to hospital, with Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Wales Air Ambulance and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance all attending the horror crash.
A woman – aged in her 40s – sustained significant injuries and despite the best efforts of medics, died in hospital this afternoon (Thursday).
A woman – aged in her 20s – remains in critical condition in hospital, whilst the youngster sustained serious injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.
All three people are understood to be related to one another.
The driver of the Mercedes reportedly left the scene – sparking a full-scale manhunt involving two police helicopters.
A local resident, who does not wish to be named, said that he and numerous neighbours rushed outside to help at the scene of the fatal smash.
“I ran outside after hearing a huge bang and two women were seriously hurt after being hit by the car.
“A baby was really badly hurt too; he was in a pushchair at the time, which protected her a bit.
“The pushchair was completely mangled down the road and the paramedics had to sedate the little boy due to head and face injuries.
“There was a man next to the car too, lying on the ground unconscious. I’m not sure if he was actually the driver or not but when people tried to help him, he put up a fight and ran off.
“The really upsetting bit about all this is that it happened so close to their home. They are local, lovely people.”
A 40-year-old man, from Yeovil, was arrested on suspicion of driving offences before being taken to hospital for treatment of injuries that are not believed to be serious.
Police Sergeant Mark Scammell said: “Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of the woman who sadly died and the injured pedestrians.
“An investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances of the incident and I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed what happened, as well as anyone who may have captured the collision or moments leading up to it on dashcam footage, to please come forward.
“I would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while the road closure is in place as this allows us to carry out a thorough examination of the scene.”
The road remains closed and forensic work is ongoing at the scene.
