Latest news with #BlandfordForum
BBC News
14-05-2025
- BBC News
Boy, 3, hit by car towing caravan in Blandford Forum leaves hospital
A three-year-old boy airlifted to hospital after he was hit by a car towing a caravan has been was seriously hurt by a white Seat Leon off Milldown Road near The Blandford School and Blandford Leisure Centre in Blandford Forum, Dorset, on 8 Police said the boy was making "good progress" and was well enough to leave hospital.A 19-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, was released under investigation as police continue their inquiries. "We are very pleased to update that thankfully the little boy involved in this collision is making good progress in his recovery and has been deemed strong enough to be discharged from hospital," Sgt Mike Burt, of Dorset Police, said."We continue to carry out inquiries to establish the full circumstances around this incident and I would again urge any witnesses, or anyone with relevant dashcam or other footage, to please contact us if you have not already spoken to police." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Telegraph
09-05-2025
- Telegraph
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.'
The Independent
09-05-2025
- The Independent
Boy, 3, in serious condition after being hit by car towing caravan
A three-year-old boy has been taken to hospital in serious condition after a car crash in a field in Dorset. Police received a report at 4.34pm on Thursday relating to a collision near Blandford Leisure Centre involving a white Seat Leon car, which was towing a caravan, and a child pedestrian. Emergency services attended the scene in Milldown Road, Blandford Forum, and the three-year-old boy was taken to Southampton Hospital by air ambulance, where he remains in a serious but stable condition. Police put up a cordon to allow emergency services to respond to the incident and for enquiries at the scene to be carried out. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of driving offences and inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent. Dorset Police is now appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant footage to come forward. The three-year-old's family has been informed. Sergeant Mike Burt, of the serious collision investigation team, 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 enquiries and to provide reassurance. Officers can be approached by anyone with any information and concerns. 'We would like to thank members of the public for their patience and understanding while we responded to this incident and as we continue to carry out enquiries.' It is understood that the field where the incident took place could be accessed by the general public. Blandford Leisure Centre put out a statement on Thursday evening which said: 'We apologise for the disruption to our leisure centre customers since late afternoon, due to an emergency situation on the school site. 'There will only be pedestrian access to the leisure centre for the remainder of the evening. Leisure Centre customers will have normal vehicle access from opening time tomorrow morning at 6.30am. School access will be managed through the entrance further down Milldown Road.' The leisure centre is next to Blandford School, which also put out a statement saying the entrance near the leisure centre would be closed on Friday as police would remain in attendance.
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Boy, three, is seriously injured when hit by car towing caravan after travellers set up camp illegally on school playing field
A three-year-old boy has been seriously injured after being hit by a car that was towing a caravan after a group of travellers set up camp illegally on a school playing field. About ten caravans arrived at The Blandford School, a secondary school in Blandford Forum, Dorset, yesterday afternoon. It is believed the boy was struck when one of the caravans was being unhitched from a car yesterday afternoon. He was flown by air ambulance to hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition. The accident happened on the school field at about 4.30pm. Police said the collision involved a white Seat Leon car towing a caravan and a child pedestrian. Locals said it occurred while a caravan was being unhitched. A cordon was put in place to allow the emergency services to respond to the incident and for enquiries at the scene to be carried out. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of driving offences and inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent. The group today left the school site, less than 24 hours after they arrived. Blandford School said in a statement: '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.' Sergeant Mike Burt, of Dorset Police's Serious Collision Investigation Team, 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 enquiries and to provide reassurance. 'Officers can be approached by anyone with any information and concerns. 'We would like to thank members of the public for their patience and understanding while we responded to this incident and as we continue to carry out enquiries.' The school put out a statement on Thursday evening that there had been an 'incident' at the school but with no more details on what had happened. Headteacher Sally Wilson told parents yesterday: 'Some of you may be aware there was an incident this evening on our site. As a result the leisure centre entrance is closed tomorrow, police will remain in attendance overnight and tomorrow. 'There will be no access to The Blandford School for pedestrians via the gates next to block one. 'There will be no access for car drop off, if you normally drive your child to school, please drop them off away from the site so we leave Milldown Road as free as possible.' She added that lessons would continue as normal. 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.'
