A MAN has lost part of his arm after a tree fell on him in west Dorset.

Emergency services rushed to Mapperton, near Bridport, shortly after 2.20pm after a man working in woodland sustained a 'severe injury' after a tree fell on top of him.

A man in his 50s was flown to Southmead Hospital in Bristol after part of his arm was amputated.

A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service said: “We got the call at 2.17pm to an incident at Mapperton where a tree had fallen on a man in his 50s.

“Paramedics in a fast car and the air ambulance attended to the patient, where the tree had amputated part of his forearm.

“Because of the remote location in some woods, the Coastguard helicopter helped to winch him to safety and he was flown to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for treatment.”

Two fire crews from Beaminster and Bridport attended the incident, along with the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and the Coastguard rescue helicopter.

A road block was put in place by police while they dealt with the incident.

A spokesman for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said: "It is believed the man was working in woodland and the tree has fallen on him, severely injuring his arm. 

"Because of the location, the coastguard helicopter was called to the scene to help get him into the air ambulance.”

The coastguard helicopter was seen circling around Mapperton for some time this afternoon.

Kelly Somers, who was visiting Mapperton House, said: “That area is so difficult to get to and the helicopter had been going round in circles for ages.

“I hope they are not too badly hurt.”

Local resident Daniel Mason said he wasn’t surprised emergency services found it difficult to access the area between Mapperton and Loscombe.

“I’m not sure what happened but we had police, the fire service and the helicopter all sent out for it” he said.

“If the helicopter was here, you would think it is either a serious injury or they simply can’t get to the area.

"There are quite a few woods down near Batcombe Coppice, which are really isolated.”