THREE people - including a 12-year-old girl - suffered life-threatening injuries in a four-vehicle crash outside a school this morning.

The Dorset and Somerset and Devon air ambulances, as well as the Great Western Ambulance Service craft, landed nearby following the collision.

Four ambulances and four rapid response cars were also called to the crash, which took place on the B3081 outside Port Regis School in Motcombe, Shaftesbury, shortly before 8.35am.

A total of six people were hurt in the crash, with three sustaining life-threatening injuries.

A woman in her 40s, a 12-year-old girl and a man were airlifted to Southampton General Hospital.

A second 12-year-old girl also suffered serious injuries.

One person sustained minor injuries and two people were uninjured.

The road was closed in both directions near the Calves Lane junction to allow emergency services to deal with the incident.

It was reopened just after 4pm.

A spokesperson from the South Western Ambulance Service said: “There were two people who were ‘walking wounded’ and were treated at the scene.

“There were also two adult female casualties - one suffered a fractured pelvis, and the second has leg and head injuries. Both were airlifted to hospital.

“Two children were also injured.

“One has facial and stomach injuries, and was taken to hospital by road ambulance. A second suffered a fractured leg and was taken to hospital by air ambulance.”

Two fire crews from Shaftesbury and one from Gillingham also attended.

Firefighters extracted two casualties trapped in the wreckage of the vehicles.

A spokesperson from Port Regis School said the school was due to open for boarders again between 4pm and 5pm on Wednesday afternoon. Day pupils are not due to commence their lessons until Thursday morning.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting incident 13:72.