THE air ambulance landed after a man was found seriously injured on the A338 this afternoon.

Police and paramedics were called to a stretch of the carriageway close to the Richmond Hill roundabout at lunchtime after the incident.

A spokesperson from Dorset Police said the man is believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries.

"Officers were called to reports of a concern for welfare. A man was found with injuries on the A338 Wessex Way in Bournemouth," the spokesperson said.

"Police attended along with the ambulance service.

"The casualty has suffered life-threatening injuries and road closures were put in place to allow the air ambulance to land."

It is understood police do not currently believe a crime has taken place.

A spokesperson from the South Western Ambulance Service said: "We sent an air ambulance crew and two land ambulances to attend the incident.

"Our crews treated a male patient at the scene, and he was conveyed to hospital by air ambulance for further care."

The road has since reopened and traffic has returned to normal. 

There were also delays in both directions after a crash on the A338 Spur Road at Ashley Heath. 'Rubber-neckers' are causing problems, drivers say.