Driver cut free from wreck

6:12pm Wednesday 24th January 2007

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A WOMAN was fighting for her life today following a head-on collision on Worcester's ringroad.

Firefighters were called to free the injured woman from the wreckage of the crash on the A4440 southern bypass at 8.50am this morning.

The woman was trapped in the wreckage of a grey Rover 100, which had been in collision with a blue Mercedes Sprinter van on Crookbarrow Way, between Whittington and St Peter's.

The driver of the van, a man in his 50s, was taken by ambulance to Worcestershire Royal Hospital, suffering from neck and back pain following the crash.

The female driver of the Rover, who is believed to be in her 40s, was airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham at about 9.25am with serious head injuries.

Police sealed off Crookbarrow Way leading to gridlock on adjoining roads.

Motorists searching for alternative routes into Worcester found themselves in long tailbacks in London Road.

Dave Benbow, who runs a hairdressing salon in London Road, said: "There was quite a lot of traffic all morning, all the way from the top to the bottom of London Road.

"Quite a few customers were late because they were stuck in traffic."

The road was closed for about six hours, while accident investigators examined the scene and both vehicles were recovered.

Officers diverted traffic around the outskirts of the city and the road was reopened at about 1.20pm.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service paramedic officer also attended the scene.

Witnesses or anyone with information about the collision has been asked to call police on 08457 444888, quoting incident number 94S/240107.