Two in hospital after A49 crash in Shropshire

Two people were in a serious condition in hospital today after a rush-hour smash which closed the A49 in Shropshire for five hours after cutting gear was used to free the injured.

A silver Mercedes S500 and a blue Citroen Saxo, travelling in the opposite direction, collided head-on close to Station Garage in Marshbrook near Church Stretton shortly before 5pm yesterday.

The woman driver of the Saxo, who is in her 60s, suffered serious abdominal and leg injuries and was airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, where she remains in intensive car in a critical, but stable, condition.

A passenger in her car, also in his 60s, suffered abdominal and chest injuries and was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in Stoke-on-Trent. His condition was today describe as "serious but stable".

The male driver of the Mercedes, who is believed to be in his 50s or 60s, was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for treatment for chest and back injuries but discharged a few hours later.

Two air ambulances, three land ambulances, police, firefighters and accident investigators were called to the scene.

Hydraulic cutting gear was used to free the motorists in a rescue operation that took about 50 minutes.

Sergeant Darren Heyes, of the West Mercia Police Operational Support Team, is leading the investigation into the crash.

He said a number of witnesses had already been spoken to but others may have seen what happened.

Anyone with information has been asked to contact police on 03003 333000.