THREE people remain in hospital following a crash on the A35.

A 65-year-old man was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital following the two-car collision this afternoon.

It happened between Charmouth and Morcombelake, near Tizard's Knap, at around 4.15pm yesterday.

The incident caused severe delays for motorists as police closed the road whilst firefighters worked to free two of the casualties and paramedics administered treatment.

One of the cars involved had ended up partially in a hedge as a result of the crash.

Following initial reports of the accident, two land ambulances had rushed to the scene.

The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance was then requested to attend due to the severity of the incident.

An additional land ambulance was also called.

The collision was between a silver Mercedes, registered to a man from Swanage and a blue Mazda, registered to a man from Dorchester.

The driver of the Mazda was airlifted to Southampton Hospital with what paramedics described at the time as ‘possible life-threatening’ injuries.

However, officers said this morning that he suffered a fractured arm, leg and pelvis but his injuries are “no longer considered life-threatening.”

A 75-year-old man and a 71-year-old woman travelling in the Mercedes-both from Worth Matravers- were taken to Exeter Hospital. The man suffered what officers describe as “less serious leg injuries” and the woman was suffering with neck and back pain.

A spokesman for Dorset Police launched an appeal for further information about the crash. He said: “The road was closed for several hours while crash investigators worked. We would like to thank the public for their patience while this happened.

“Dorset Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash or to the manner of driving of either vehicle prior to the collision. Anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident number I 27: 235.”

The road was closed at the Ryall junction, near Felicity’s Farm Shop and at the B1362 with motorists stuck in standstill traffic.

Dorset Police requested that motorists avoid the area with the road expected to stay closed for some time in to the evening as recovery work took place.

One motorist who got caught up in the incident said: "It's chaos. Traffic is completely gridlocked and at a standstill."

The incident also caused disruption on the buses with the First Dorset X31 and X53 unable to run as a result of the road closure.