A MOTORCYCLIST has been airlifted to hospital with possible life-threatening injuries after an accident on Abbotsbury Hill.

Police were alerted to the incident at around 2.55pm this afternoon.

A spokeswoman for Dorset Police said a man had come off his bike and that the force had been alerted to the incident by the ambulance service.

The Devon Air Ambulance was requested and arrived at the scene at 3.46pm. The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance were attending another job at the time.

Police confirmed the casualty was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol with possible life-threatening injuries.

A spokeswoman for South Western Ambulance Service said they were alerted to the incident at around 2.45pm to reports of someone who had fallen off a bike.

She said: “We sent two crews, one officer and the air ambulance went as well.

“The patient has been flown to Southmead Hospital with chest injuries.”

One onlooker, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “There were two ambulances at the scene, together with the air ambulance.

“I saw several police cars as well.

“It looked like it may have been a motorcyclist involved.

"They were stretchered to the air ambulance.

“I hope the motorcyclist will be ok. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

“There’s still the remains of another car nearby which had been in a separate collision which happened recently.

“It highlights how dangerous this stretch of the coast road can be.”

Police expect the road to be closed for several hours for an investigation to be carried out.

A post on Dorset Police's Facebook page said: "The B3157 coast road has been closed between Portesham and the Crown roundabout at Bridport following a serious injury road traffic collision at Abbotsbury Hill involving a motorcyclist. 

"Traffic is being diverted onto the A35.

"The road is expected to be closed for several hours while collision investigators examine the scene."