A MAN who caused a serious crash on the coast road near Burton Bradstock has been ordered to pay nearly £500 and had his driving licence endorsed.

James Tirrell, aged 70, was behind the wheel of a Citroen Berlingo on Sunday, November 15, 2020.

At approximately 9.30am, Tirrell crashed head-on into a red Ford Focus on the B3157 near to the junction of Cogden Beach car park.

Police closed the road while firefighters from Bridport and Beaminster attended and an air ambulance landed in a nearby field.

Two people, one in each car, were trapped and had to be cut free from their vehicles by firefighters.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: The scene of the crash. Picture: DWFRSThe scene of the crash. Picture: DWFRS

A picture taken at the scene showed extensive damage to the vehicles involved.

A passenger in the Citroen, a woman aged in her 70s, and the two occupants of the Ford – both Weymouth women aged in their 20s – were taken to hospital via an air ambulance with serious injuries.

Tirrell sustained minor injuries in the crash. He was subsequently arrested and charged by police.

Tirrell, of Crewkerne Road, Axminster pleaded guilty to a charge of driving a vehicle without due care and attention at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, February 16.

Magistrates endorsed Tirrell’s driving licence with five penalty points and ordered him to pay a fine of £338, a £34 victim surcharge and costs of £110.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: An air ambulance was called to the scene An air ambulance was called to the scene

At the time of the collision, a spokeswoman for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Both Bridport appliances were mobilised to a road traffic collision on the coast road between Burton Bradstock and Swyre.

"On arrival crews found two vehicles that had been involved in a head on collision leaving two people trapped, one in each car and walking wounded.

"Ambulance were on scene and providing medical care.

"Due to the nature of the incident, an assistance message was sent by the incident commander for one extra appliance. This was mobilised from Beaminster Fire Station."

The spokesman added: "Police were on route, two further ambulances and the air ambulance were also requested.

"Crews got to work stabilising each vehicle and making them safe before using the cutting equipment to release both casualties.

“Fire crews and ambulance crews then worked together to remove the casualties. One casualty was assisted from their vehicle whilst the other was extricated on a spinal board.”