A FUNDRAISER has been set up to help the family involved in a fatal west Dorset crash on Wednesday which claimed the life of a 'beautiful lady'.

Several emergency services rushed to the A3066 in Mosterton just after 8pm to reports that three people had been hit by a car, which subsequently caught fire. 

All three pedestrians were taken to hospital by air ambulance for treatment, but tragically a woman in her 40s was pronounced dead at hospital on Thursday afternoon.

A woman in her 20s remains in a critical condition, while a young boy sustained serious injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.

A 40-year-old man from Yeovil has been arrested on suspicion of driving offences, Dorset Police confirmed yesterday.

The main A-road through the village was closed for several hours as multiple police teams dealt with the scene. 

Villagers described the atmosphere as 'sobering' after the crash and described the scene as 'chaotic' and like 'mayhem'.

In the aftermath of the crash, a fundraising page has been set up by two locals - Nathan Snell and Amber Gundry - with the aim of giving the family time to grieve and relieve stress.

"Sadly a beautiful lady has lost her life, leaving behind an incredible family," the fundraising page said.

"At this moment in time the two other family members are in hospital. We ask that you have them in your prayers.

"We have set up this page to help the family at this truly devastating time and ask that if you can spare anything, no matter how big or small, to try and relieve any stress that they may have [and] to allow them to grieve for the loss of a beautiful woman and register what’s happened.

"We also ask, that you please respect the privacy of the family and give them some space."

At the time of writing the fundraiser has raised nearly £5,000. To donate, click here.