A MANHUNT is underway for a driver who hit two pedestrians in a hit-and-run, leaving one with serious injuries.

Dorset Police received a report at 8.26pm on Tuesday, July 16, of a collision involving a car and two pedestrians on Abbotsbury Road, near to the junction with Cromwell Road.

It was reported that the car involved – a black Volkswagen Golf – failed to stop at the scene.

It was reportedly found a short time later further down Abbotsbury Road, near to the junction with Alma Road.

The two male occupants reportedly left the vehicle on foot and made off from the scene.

One of the pedestrians, a man aged in his 20s, sustained serious injuries and was taken by air ambulance to Southampton General Hospital. His family has been informed.

The second pedestrian, a man aged in his 30s, did not sustain any serious injuries.

Road closures have been put in place to allow the emergency service to respond and for officers to investigate the incident.

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant footage to come forward.

Detective Inspector Simon Austin, of Dorset County CID, said: “We are conducting a full investigation to establish the circumstances of the collision and the movements of the occupants of the vehicle involved following the incident.

“I am appealing for any witnesses, or anyone with information that might assist our enquiries, to please contact us.

“I would urge motorists with dashcam fitted who were travelling in the area around the time of the collision to please check their footage for anything of relevance.

"I would also like to make a similar plea to local residents with home CCTV or doorbell cameras to please review their footage for anything that might help our investigation.

“Finally, I would like to thank members of the public for their patience and understanding during the road closures.

"These are necessary to allow the emergency services to respond and for a full examination of the collision scene to be carried out.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240107910.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.