FIVE young people cheated death after a horror crash in which their car rolled over several times.

Police and eyewitnesses said they were amazed that no one died in the crash on the A354 at Basan Hill near Milborne St Andrew yesterday afternoon.

Officers said the green Toyota car lost control on a bend, went through a hedgerow and rolled over several times before coming to rest in a field some way from the road.

The five occupants, all thought to be aged in their late teens or early 20s, were taken by ambulance to Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester, for treatment to non-serious injuries.

Firefighters helped to free people from the car.

They are all thought to be from the Bristol area and were on their way home when the accident happened two miles north of the A35 Puddletown bypass. It is understood they were following another group of friends in a car in front.

At the scene yesterday, investigating officer, PC Sean Ford said: “I can’t believe they weren’t more seriously injured considering what happened.”

A motorist who passed the crash scene said: “I was driving towards Puddletown from Blandford and I got stuck in a long queue of traffic. A lot of emergency vehicles passed by, including fire engines.

“The car was in a wheat field surrounded by emergency services personnel. It looked heavily dented and I’m absolutely amazed no one died in the accident.”

The road was closed while the scene was examined and arrangements were made for the Toyota to be recovered. The car was said to be severely damaged. No other vehicles were involved.

The car is registered to a woman from Bristol but it is thought her 20-year-old son was behind the wheel.

Sergeant Dave Stroud of the road policing unit based at Dorchester said: “This was a single vehicle slight injury collision whereby a green Toyota car lost control on the A354 and ended up in a field.

“Thankfully the five occupants were not seriously injured.

“We are appealing for witnesses to the collision or anyone who saw the manner of driving of this vehicle prior to the collision.”

Anyone with information can contact PC Sean Ford at the Dorchester road policing unit in confidence on 01305 222222.