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.
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
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.’
