A ROAD rage driver fled the scene of an incident leaving his victim in a mangled car and lucky to be alive.

Police are appealing for witnesses after the man who caused the incident drove off from the scene, on the A35 near Long Bredy, leaving an injured woman in her badly damaged car.

At 4.27pm last Friday, a blue Peugeot 306 saloon was travelling towards Dorchester from Bridport on the A35, near the Long Bredy turning, when another car pulled sharply in front and braked heavily, causing the Peugeot to lose control after also braking heavily to avoid the offending car.

PC Angus Wilson of Dorset Police's road policing unit stationed at Dorchester, said: "The blue Peugeot left the road, dropped down an embankment and rolled over several times. The offending car drove off from the scene.

"The injured lady motorist who was driving the blue Peugeot 306 has told me that the saloon car - believed to have been driven by a man - followed her from Bridport, driving very close behind her and flashing his lights.

"On the dual carriageway near the Long Bredy turning, the Peugeot driver drove to the nearside lane after overtaking another car, possibly a Volvo, and the offending saloon pulled over in front of her, braked heavily, and caused the collision," explained PC Wilson.

The injured motorist, a 36-year-old Weymouth woman, was taken to Dorset County Hospital and treated for minor injuries.

PC Wilson added: "The Peugeot was totally destroyed and looking at the damage the driver was lucky to escape serious injury.

"This was a very dangerous manoeuvre and I've confirmed what happened with witnesses.

"It's very important that I hear from anyone else who witnessed this collision or the blue Peugeot being followed closely by another car between Bridport and the Long Bredy junction of the A35.

"The driver responsible may now be feeling remorse about his actions, and I appeal to him - and to anyone else who knows the identity of the driver responsible or the car involved - to contact me in confidence," added PC Wilson.

Witnesses and anyone with information should ring Dorset Police on 01305 222 222 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.