AN elderly man was airlifted to hospital after his car collided with a horse van on the main A44 road between Worcester and Leominster.

The accident took place in Bromyard just after 1.30pm. Police closed the road at its junction with the B4203 New Road and diverted traffic while they gathered evidence.

The Midlands Air Ambulance attended and airlifted a man in his 80s to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

A West Mercia Police spokesman said they were called at 1.33pm to a collision between a blue Renault horse van and a grey Citroen C3, which the elderly man was travelling in.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman added: “The driver of the car, a man believed to be in his 80s, suffered chest pain in the crash.

“Crews and the doctor gave the man oxygen and stabilised his condition before working with the fire service to carefully extricate him from the car.”

It took about an hour to free him and he was immobilised with a neck collar and spinal board before being flown to hospital for further assessment and treatment.

Two women who were in the horse van were described as “walking wounded” and did not require hospital treatment.

Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information should call 101 quoting 275s14/02/13.