EIGHT people have been injured in a crash which closed the A49 between Hereford and Shrewsbury for several hours – with one man left in a serious condition.

A police spokesperson said the road was closed after the crash, which happened between the All Stretton turn and Church Stretton junction over the border in Shropshire just after 7pm on Saturday (May 15).

West Midlands Ambulance Service was at the scene of the two-car crash, along with West Mercia Police and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, and eight people were injured.

Three ambulances, three paramedic officers, specialist trauma doctor and critical care paramedic all attended, with the driver of one car left in a serious condition.

His injuries were described by an ambulance services spokesperson as serious, and they required trauma care on scene.

"The man was stabilised before being conveyed on blue lights, with MERIT [medical emergency response incident team doctor] travelling, to Royal Stoke University Hospital for further emergency care," they said.

Seven occupants from the second vehicle were also assessed by ambulance staff for less-serious injuries.

Four young boys suffered injuries not believed to be serious and were taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for further checks.

"Three other occupants were assessed but didn’t require treatment and were discharged on scene," the spokesperson said.

The fire service sent two crews from Church Stretton and Craven Arms to the crash, with an operations officer also in attendance.

The cars were made safe by fire service personnel, and the road was fully reopened in the early hours of Sunday morning.