Boy, 3, hit by car in school field illegally occupied by travellers
A driver has been arrested after a three-year-old boy was struck by a car in a school field that was illegally occupied by travellers.
The toddler was airlifted to hospital with 'serious' injuries on Thursday afternoon after a motorist towing a caravan collided with him in Blandford Forum, Dorset.
Police said a 19-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent and driving offences.
A group of 10 caravans arrived to occupy a field at The Blandford School on Thursday.
The boy, who has not been named, is believed to have been struck by a white Seat Leon on the field as a caravan was unhitched at approximately 4.30pm.
He remains in hospital after being airlifted by the Air Ambulance.
'Increased policing presence'
Sgt Mike Burt said the child had been 'seriously injured'.
The travellers left the secondary school on Friday morning, less than 24 hours after arriving.
Sgt Burt said: 'Our thoughts are very much with the young boy who was seriously injured and their family at this time.
'We are continuing to investigate the full circumstances of this incident, and I would urge any witnesses, or anyone with relevant dashcam or other footage, to please get in touch if you have not already contacted police.
'We appreciate an incident such as this involving a young child can have a significant impact on the local community and there will be an increased policing presence in the vicinity as we continue to carry out inquiries and to provide reassurance.'
Back to 'normal'
A spokesman for The Blandford School said: 'We are pleased to report that with the support of Dorset Police the travellers who were on the school site have now left and as such we are able to return to a 'normal' school day.'
The school added that pupils were 'a credit to themselves with the way that they handled things'.
Blandford Leisure Centre, which is also next to the field, said on Thursday: 'We apologise for the disruption to our leisure centre customers since late afternoon, due to an emergency situation on the school site.'
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