A MOTORCYCLIST is fighting for life following a day of crash mayhem in Dorset.

The male biker suffered life-threatening injuries in one of four collisions all within 90 minutes of each other yesterday morning, which caused roads to be closed.

Police said the collision between a motorcyclist and a car, driven by a man, happened on the A35 between Bere Regis and the Bakers Arms roundabout.

Emergency services were alerted to the scene, next to the Axium Centre just east of Slepe, at 10.52am. The road was closed between the Organford turn-off and the Bakers Arms for several hours to allow accident investigators to examine the scene.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “The motorcyclist sustained what are believed to be life-threatening injuries and the driver of the car sustained a suspected fractured leg.”

The motorcyclist’s injuries were to the chest, leg and arms, Dorset Police confirmed.

Both casualties were taken to Poole Hospital.

Both the BMW and motorcycle were visibly damaged in the collision, with debris from the vehicles scattered across the road.

Investigators were seen taking measurements and photos of the scene.

Earlier in the morning, a man suffered spinal injuries in one of two crashes on the A354 south of Blandford.

The first incident happened between Littleton Drove and the A350, just after 9.30am, and involved a white Vauxhall Meriva van and a silver Peugeot.

The road was closed for almost three hours while Dorset Fire and Rescue Service crews and staff from South Western Ambulance Service attended the scene. Dorset Police said one person was removed from one of the vehicles.

Further along the same road, another crash occurred a short time later at Thornicombe, with the emergency services being called to attend at 9.56am.

A green Volvo S40 registered to a man from Bournemouth, which had visible damage to the bonnet and front, and a red Toyota Yaris, registered to a woman from Dorchester, were involved.

The roof of the Volvo was removed by firefighters and the male driver was taken to hospital for treatment with suspected spinal injuries. It is not believed that the woman driving the Toyota was injured.

Traffic was able to move along the A354 shortly after 12.10pm when police officers were able to fully re-open the road in both directions.

Elsewhere in Dorchester, a two vehicle collision just after 10.20am blocked the B3150 London Road.

It involved a blue Volkswagen Golf registered to a woman from Weymouth and a white Ivecco van registered to a company from Wimborne.

One of the occupants of the car was treated at the roadside by paramedics for shock.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said the road was partially blocked from Stinsford roundabout heading towards Dorchester, and they called the local authority to clear away debris and a fuel spillage on the road.

The road was fully cleared by 1pm.

l Witnesses to the A35 crash near Slepe, including anyone who may have seen either vehicle prior to the crash, should call Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident number 22:120.