A NATIONAL Express driver has been sacked after being found guilty of dangerous driving.

David Read smashed his coach into a police car carrying a dog near the A338 Blackwater junction.

Read, of Branksome Wood Road, Bournemouth denied the offence at Bournemouth magistrates.

The bench, however, ruled that the 38-year-old was responsible for causing “significant damage” to both his vehicle and the stationary patrol car in the early hours of February 2.

Police dog Acer, a German Shepherd, was in the vehicle at the time of the crash but made a full recovery and returned to work the following week.

A Dorset Police spokesperson confirmed the crash happened after the force was called to reports of a broken down car on the westbound carriageway shortly after 3am.

“Police officers attended and unfortunately a collision subsequently occurred between a stationary police vehicle and a National Express coach,” he said.

“This caused significant damage to both vehicles. However no serious injuries were sustained.

“A police dog was taken to a local vet but it was not believed to have suffered any serious injuries."

He added that the road was closed for several hours in the wake of the crash as the debris was cleared from the highway.

He said the officers involved do not want to comment on the case until Read has been sentenced.

A National Express spokesperson said: “The safety of our customers and other road users is always our number one priority and the driver involved in this highly unusual and regrettable incident was immediately suspended and no longer drives for National Express.”

Read is due to be sentenced at Bournemouth Magistrates Court on the morning of October 12.