A Jack Russell dog has had a miraculous escape after jumping from a car driving at 70mph along one of Dorset’s busiest roads.

Incredibly, two-year-old Summer has just been left with bruises and a chipped tooth after her bolt across lanes of traffic on the Spur Road into Bournemouth.

Vets at the PDSA, where she was handed in, told owner Dave Turner they believe she was even hit by a car.

Dave, who spent hours scouring the roadside of the A338 after Summer disappeared shortly after 6.30am on Wednesday, said: “I always drive with the window half open so she can get some air. All of a sudden she just decided to jump out. She’s only a wee thing, and I thought she just had to be dead.

He added: “Although she’s covered in scabs and scars and is a bit battered and bruised, she’s not got one broken bone. She’s an extremely lucky lady. Really, it should have killed her.”

Summer took her daring leap as Dave was driving to his Winton laundry business Wash and Chill. Distressed Dave turned his phone off as he hunted for her, prompting staff to report him missing to police.

An appeal was sent out and the PDSA couldn’t get hold of Dave for more than 36 hours to tell him Summer had been found.

“I just couldn’t talk to anyone,” Dave said. “I was upset and didn’t want my phone ringing every five minutes.

“I’m so grateful to whoever found her.”

Today, after a restful weekend in Swanage, the reunited pair will return to work.

“Summer’s part of the staff,” Dave said. “She greets everybody warmly.”