A DRIVER was airlifted to hospital after a van rolled over and ended up in a field.

The man, in his 50s, was thought the sole occupant of a Citroen Relay van which crashed off the A3066 north of Beaminster this afternoon.

He was rescued from the vehicle before being flown to hospital by the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

Despite police initially saying his injuries were serious and possibly life threatening, they later said he had only minor injuries. The road was closed for about five hours while the scene was examined and the vehicle was recovered.

It was reopened about 6pm this evening.

Police are appealing for witnesses.

The van rolled off the road just north of Mosterton outside Chapel Court Farm just before 1pm.

South Western Ambulance sent a paramedic car and an ambulance to the scene.

A spokesman said: "The man suffered chest and leg injuries after a van rolled into a field.

"He was put on a spinal board and a splint was used to stabilise his hips.

"It was decided to call in the air ambulance because we needed him as stable as possible given the possible injuries."

A spokesman for the air ambulance said the helicopter took the casualty to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, a journey which took 15 minutes.

Police said at the scene that the injuries were thought to be life threatening but have since said that the person is now just being treated for minor injuries.

Sergeant Rhiannon Stroud of the traffic unit said at the scene: “At the moment we have a single vehicle collision. It’s a single occupant, male, he’s been airlifted to Taunton hospital with possibly life threatening injuries. We don’t know the cause.”

Police closed the road both ways from the B3164 at Whetley Cross up to the A356 whilst they dealt with the incident.

The van was a white Citroen Relay, registered to an address outside of Dorset.

It could be seen in a field adjacent to the road with the front end pointing back towards the road, separated from the field by a hedge.

West Dorset District Councillor for Beaminster Janet Page said the road is not a one notorious for accidents.

She said: “If they’re ok that’s very good news and good for their family too.

“I suspect he came straight in rather than round the bend. It is quite a steep road."

The road was closed until the early evening as police carried out investigation work whilst a recovery vehicle removed the van from the field.

Police are now appealing for any witnesses or anybody with any information to contact them to help with their investigation.

Contact PC Henstridge at the Dorset Police Traffic Unit on 101.