THE PRINCIPAL of Exmouth Community College had to be cut free from his car and airlifted to hospital after being involved in a horrific crash.

Tony Alexander sustained a number of injuries as a result of the incident, which happened as he travelled home on the A31 near Dorchester, last Friday, January 14.

It is understood the headmaster, who has worked at the school since 2002, has a punctured lung and broken ribs.

Mr Alexander who, initially, was trapped in his silver BMW sports car, is recovering at Dorset County Hospital in a high-dependency unit.

Governors, teachers and students at Exmouth Community College have this week been wishing him a speedy recovery.

Elizabeth Lee, chair of governors, said: “I have spoken to him since the accident. He is in excellent spirits and progressing well.”

She said Mr Graham Allen and Mr David Turner would deputise in his absence, ensuring the high standards expected at the school were maintained. “I would like to send our best wishes to Mr Alexander and his family.”

East Devon MP Hugo Swire also added to the get-well messages. “I am horrified to hear about the accident,” he said. “He’s a man who I hold in very high esteem and I believe is a wonderful headmaster.

“Knowing him like I do, it will take more than a car accident to quash his spirit. I hope and trust that he makes a speedy recovery.”

The emergency services scrambled to the scene following the two-car collision.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance airlifted two injured people, who included Mr Alexander, to the hospital in Dorchester.

Police later closed the road to allow the damaged vehicles to be recovered.

Within the nine years Mr Alexander has worked as principal, he has helped the college achieve a number of positive OFSTED inspection reports. In its last full inspection, the college was judged to be a ‘good’ school with many outstanding features.

Deputy principal Mr Allen said there was a good ethos in place at the college, which Mr Alexander helped to launch, of building teams and everybody working well together.

Mr Allen said everybody at the college would, as was always the case, employ the ethos in the principal’s absence.

He added: “We all wish him and his family all the best and look forward to his return.”