Man in hospital following crash between lorry and pick-up truck on Shropshire main road
A major road in Shropshire was closed for hours on Friday morning following a crash.
All emergency services were called to the scene of the collision just before 5am.
The A41 was closed "between Tern Hill and Hinstock road" in both directions, according to West Mercia Operations & Communications Centre.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said they first received the call at 4.53am, reporting a crash involving an HGV and a van.
Market Drayton Fire Station said in a social media post: "The front end of the van was partially under the trailer of the heavy goods vehicle and had sustained a significant amount of damage. The male driver of the van was found to be mechanically trapped in the vehicle.
"Crews quickly set about using Holmatro hydraulic cutting and spreading equipment to gain access to the casualty and create space. Paramedics from West Midlands Ambulance worked closely with firefighters to monitor the casualties condition during the extrication.
"Due to the amount of damage that the van had sustained and the significant intrusion into the vehicle, which was resulting in the driver being trapped, the decision was made to use a procedure known as relocation to provide better access to all of the vehicle. This involved the crews attaching a tirfor winch to the rear of the van and anchored to the front of a fire appliance.
"The van was then carefully and slowly winched out from under the heavy goods vehicle, whilst this process was being carried out firefighters remained inside the van with the trapped driver to monitor their condition and provide reassurance.
"When the van had been winched clear, the crews used hydraulic rams to force the dashboard and engine bay up and away from the casualty.
"Once this had been completed the casualty was able to be assisted out of the vehicle and was placed into the care of Paramedics.
We are pleased to report that the casualty was transported to hospital with what we believe is a non life threatening lower leg injury.
All the crews and Paramedics worked seamlessly together in what was a challenging extrication.
Officers from West Mercia Police were at the scene, the A41 was closed in both directions between Wistanswick and Hinstock for a period of time, whilst the emergency services worked at the scene and for recovery of the vehicles.
We send our best wishes to the casualty for a speedy recovery.
According to the fire service's incident log, one person was "released from the vehicle using Holmatro and specialist equipment" and left in the care of West Midlands Ambulance Service.
They said four fire appliances including the Rescue Tender were mobilised from Hodnet, Market Drayton and Wellington attended the RTC, with an operations officer also in attendance.
The fire service's involvement was over by 6.20am with the scene left to police and ambulance staff.
Craig Jackson of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said on social media that crews "successfully rescued one casualty who was mechanically trapped within his vehicle.
"Casualty is now in the care of West Midlands Ambulance Service."
Police said the road was "slowly re-opening" at 7.37am.
In a statement they told the Shropshire Star: "We received a call this morning around 4.50am with a report of a collision on A41 from Four Crosses to Sweet Appletree Crossroads.
"Officers attended the incident to find the collision involved a lorry and pickup truck.
"Both drivers have minor injuries."
West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We were called to reports of a collision between a lorry and a pick-up truck on the A41 at 4.41am.
"One ambulance and a paramedic officer attended the scene.
"On arrival we discovered one patient, a man, who was treated for injuries not believed to be serious before being taken to Princess Royal Hospital."
