Three people have been taken to hospital after a serious crash on the A35. 

Emergency services were called to a collision involving four vehicles on the westbound carriageway, near the Puddletown bypass, at 7.50am this morning.

Police, fire and ambulance services rushed to the scene. 

Two fire crews from Dorchester attended with further assistance needed from Weymouth. 

According to Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, crews cut the roof off two vehicles to rescue two people who were then taken to hospital by ambulance. 

Four ambulances were present and three people in total were taken to Dorset County Hospital. 

The road was closed between Puddletown and Stinsford for around three hours, resulting in lengthy tailbacks on the route. 

Drivers were urged to avoid the area altogether and allow extra time for their journey. 

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Fire engines were pictured arriving at the scene. Picture: Gavlar JonesFire engines were pictured arriving at the scene. Picture: Gavlar Jones (Image: Gavlar Jones)

The road has now reopened.

A spokesman for Dorchester Fire Station said: "At approximately 08:02 both crews from Dorchester were mobilised to a serious RTC on the A35 Puddletown bypass. Once in attendance the officer in charge requested a further appliance which came from Weymouth Fire Station. Crews cut the roof off of two vehicles using hydraulic cutting equipment to release the two casualties, who were then handed over to a ambulance and convoyed to hospital."

A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service added: "We sent four double-crewed land ambulances and an operations officer and conveyed three patients by land ambulance to Dorset County Hospital.”