Three hurt in head-on crash

THREE people were in hospital last night following a head-on collision in Mid Devon.

Police closed part of the A377 at Crediton in both directions for more than six hours and traffic was diverted away from the scene of the crash following the incident.

The scene of the accident on the A377 between Crediton and Barnstaple Cross Phil Mingo/Pinnacle
Traffic diversions were set up after the accident on the A377 Phil Mingo/Pinnacle
The scene of the accident on the A377 between Crediton and Barnstaple Cross Phil Mingo/Pinnacle
Police investigate at the scene of the collision on the A377 on the outskirts of Crediton, Mid Devon

A red VW Golf and a silver Vauxhall Zafira were involved in the collision, which happened at around 10am. Emergency services said the impact of the crash caused one of the vehicles to be thrown into the air.

One person is understood to have been trapped but is thought to have been helped from the car by passers-by who witnessed the smash.

Three ambulances attended on the outskirts of Crediton.

It is not yet known how serious the injuries were, but two people were described as "walking wounded".

Traffic police closed the road between Barnstaple Cross and Queen Elizabeth Drive while the vehicles were recovered.

Collision investigators were at the scene yesterday afternoon to establish the cause of the crash.

Dave Rogers, a spokesman for South West Ambulance Service, said: "We received a call at 9.56am to attend the incident. We sent three ambulances.

"It appeared that one person was trapped and the vehicles are believed to have been travelling at high speed as one vehicle went up in the air. Three patients were taken to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital. It is not currently known how serious their injuries are."

Watch commander Ian Salter, of Crediton fire station, said both vehicles had been badly damaged in the smash.

He said: "Everyone involved was out of their cars when we got to the scene. Two were walking wounded and a third person was already in the ambulance before firefighters arrived.

"It appeared the vehicles had crashed head-on but to the side as both driver's sides were crumpled right in. There was a fair bit of damage done to both."

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall police said: "At 10am emergency services were called to the scene of a serious injury road traffic collision.

"The road was closed at Barnstaple Cross and Queen Elizabeth Drive and reopened at 3.30pm."