Ledbury firefighters took part in the dramatic rescue of an elderly Colwall couple ended up in the River Leadon.

The couple, who have not been named, were not severely injured by the accident, which took place at 2.20pm on Saturday on the Bosbury Road.

The woman was taken to Hereford County Hospital by Air Ambulance after suffering concussion and complaining of pains in her legs and chest. The helicopter had to land in a field nearby to reach her.

The woman was released from the Vauxhall Astra by firefighters using new, high-powered cutting gear, which took the roof off.

Her husband had managed to get out of the car, which fortunately had landed the right way up in a foot of water. He was out of the vehicle when police arrived but went back to comfort his trapped wife. He was later taken to hospital by land ambulance.

As a precaution, both patients were placed on spinal boards by paramedics.

Sergeant Pete Butcher, of West Mercia Police, said the couple were both in their eighties. The man was discharged on Monday and his wife is now in Ross Cottage Hospital but is shortly to be transferred to Ledbury suffering from fractured ribs and bruising.

He said they were not seriously injured, but officers were still waiting for the right time to interview them.

Sgt Butcher described the bend on the bridge over the Leadon, between Ledbury and Bosbury, as "just one of the many bad bends we have in this county".

Sub Officer Keith Wildig, of Ledbury Fire Station, praised the prompt action of his colleagues and the heavy-duty cutting gear that the station has only had for the past year.

He said: "Luckily for the couple, there wasn't much water."

SO Wildig said the old cutting gear was only light to medium and firefighters would have taken longer to get people out.

He said that judging by the tracks, the couple had been travelling towards Bosbury when their car left the road.