UPDATED: EARLY HOURS SMASH INTO TREE AT GATCOMBE SEES AIR AMBULANCE SCRAMBLED

The Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance was scrambled to reports of a car colliding with a tree between Rookley and Chillerton during the early hours of this morning (Friday). Emergency services were called to Highwood Lane at just gone 01:00 when an orange Ford Focus ST left the road and crashed into a tree at the side of the carriageway. Police arrived at Highwood Lane but were unable to locate the vehicle, however, a local area search resulted in the car being found on New Road, Gatcombe. Fearing significant injuries, the air ambulance responded and touched down in a field at the junction with Highwood Lane at around 01:45. A doctor and a specialist critical care practitioner spent around 30 minutes on the ground, before returning to Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance’s base near Yeovil. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has confirmed that 1 person suffered minor injuries as a result of the collision. They did not need airlifting to a mainland hospital. UPDATE – Island Echo has now learnt that 2 people were in the vehicle, with 1 sustaining significant injuries. It’s thought the Focus was travelling towards Chillerton when the driver lost control, drifting wide on a right hand bend before mounting the grass verge. The car subsequently veered across the road, spun and smashed side-on into a tree.