POLICE chief Mike Darby has issued a safety plea to motorists after one man died and several others were left fighting for their lives in a horrifying week of accidents on West Dorset's roads.

The fatality happened on the A35 near Winterbourne Abbas on Monday morning and two other people received life-threatening injuries in the same accident.

And during a separate incident on Sunday, a 19-year-old motorcyclist was taken to hospital and treated for a suspected broken arm after a crash on the B3157 coast road.

Two others in a car involved in the accident, a 66-year-old man from Bridport and a woman, were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

A Bridport resident was also among those involved in the fatal collision at Winterbourne Abbas on Monday morning.

Dorset police were called at 8.13am to a two vehicle collision on the A35 Winterborne Abbas to Bridport road, slightly east of the Compton Valence junction.

Police are now appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward.

A blue Daihatsu Terios was travelling eastbound when it collided with a silver Rover 45 car travelling westbound.

A 47-year-old man from Nottinghamshire who was driving the Rover was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.

Another man and a woman travelling in the same car were rushed to Dorset County Hospital.

The woman, aged 69 from Yeovil, has been transferred to Southampton General Hospital suffering from 'severe internal injuries.'

The man, aged 39 and also from Yeovil, a front-seat passenger, was transferred to Poole Hospital with facial injuries.

The driver of the Daihatsu, a 20-year-old man from Bridport, was taken to Southampton General Hospital suffering severe internal and spinal injuries.

He is said to still be in a 'critical but stable' condition.

Insp Darby said: “A number of significant accidents have occurred in the last week and very sadly a person lost their life in the accident outside Winterbourne Abbas on Monday.

“Our thoughts and considerations are with the families of all the people impacted by these incidents.

“I appeal to residents to ensure you all take your utmost care when driving and always remember to wear the appropriate high visibility safety equipment and reflective garments, torches, fitted lights if walking or riding on a road.

“As the hours of darkness get longer and the conditions on our roads get worse with the seasonal impact of rain, wind blown debris and ice, the risk to people using our roads significantly increases.

“The road conditions added to the 'fatal four' offences that account for the vast majority of driving injuries and deaths; namely drink driving, speeding, no seatbelt and using mobile phones.

“These offences make the roads an extremely dangerous environment and one where all road users must exercise utmost care and caution.”

The road was closed for several hours on Monday and diversions were put in place by Dorset Police and the Highways Agency.

Traffic Inspector Colin Bell said: “I am appealing for anyone who witnessed this collision or the manner of driving of the Daihatsu or the Rover prior to the collision to contact investigating officer PC 738 Redmond on 101 quoting incident number 13:45.

“The road was shut for five hours to allow collision investigators to carry out a full and thorough examination of the complex scene.

“I would like to thank motorists for their patience.”