Witnesses sought after man seriously injured at Chideock (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Police investigate possible hit and run on A35 at Chideock

9:04am Monday 4th February 2013 in Lyme Regis By Anne Bell

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after an elderly man was found with serious injuries on the A35 at Chideock.

The A35 was closed for much of yesterday west of Bridport after the injured man was discovered in the early hours and forensic teams attempted to piece together what happened.
Police say he was believed to have been involved in a collision with a vehicle and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said the male was found with serious injuries on the A35 at Chideock Hill just west of Chideock at around 4.45am.
He said: “These injuries are thought to have been caused by a collision with a motor vehicle.
“This vehicle is believed to have left the scene prior to contacting police.
“We would urge this driver or any witnesses to the collision, or who saw the male in the road prior to the collision, to contact Dorset Police on the non-emergency number 101.”
Police said the man was taken to hospital with serious injuries while the A35 was closed between Bridport and Charmouth while forensic officers examined the scene.
The route was finally reopened shortly after 4.30pm and all cordons were lifted.
Chideock traffic campaigner Tony Fuller, 79, was held up as he returned to his home in the village from Bristol.
He said: “My thoughts are with the victim and I hope they recover quickly. People drive like mad along there.”
County councillor for Bridport Karl Wallace was among the local councillors to voice their sympathies and he expressed his concerns about safety on that stretch of the A35.
He said: “Obviously it’s very sad that this has happened and it just goes to show road safety improvements are needed on that stretch.”
Coun Wallace said he would like to see lower speed limits introduced and roundabouts at dangerous junctions as well as safer routes for pedestrians.
Gillian Summers, West Dorset District Council chairman and Bridport Town councillor, said: “Although it is not clear what exactly happened, it is a great shame that this incident left someone seriously injured.
“Let us hope that the elderly man has a speedy recovery.”
Dorset County Councillor Geoffrey Brierley, who represents Marshwood Vale, said the A35 is a ‘very fast road’.
“No one ever likes to hear that an accident has happened on the A35, it is a very fast moving road.”
Bridport Town councillor Charles Mitchell said: “It is a very sad incident and it is not the first time someone has been seriously injured around here or on the A35.
“If it is a hit and run then it is an awful thing to happen.”