A man has been charged with driving offences after a police officer was seriously injured in a crash in Abbotsbury.

As previously reported, Dorset Police received a report that a suspected stolen vehicle, a red Honda Jazz, was in the area of Alexandra Road in Bridport, at around 4.45pm on Wednesday, August 7.

READ MORE: Police officer hurt in Bridport and stolen car found in Abbotsbury

It was reported that the driver of the Honda Jazz failed to stop for officers and collided with a police vehicle, causing a serious leg injury to one of the officers.

The vehicle subsequently collided with a bus in the area of Abbotsbury Hill.

Joshua Hayward, 31, from Bridport and a 39-year-old man from Bournemouth were arrested taken to hospital for treatment, before being transferred to police custody.

Following enquiries by the Serious Collision Investigation Team, Hayward has been charged with aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, using a motor vehicle on a road or public place without third party insurance, failing to stop after a road accident, driving whilst disqualified and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

He appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, August 10, and is next due to appear at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday, September 12.

The 39-year-old man from Bournemouth, who was arrested on suspicion of driving offences, remains in hospital at this time.