A woman was airlifted to hospital with serious leg injuries after her car hit a tree, plunged through a roadside hedge and careered down an embankment during this morning’s rush hour.

The incident happened at about 7.45am on the A5 St Georges bypass in Telford, near the Redhill roundabout.

The woman, in her 20s, was trapped in a Mitsubishi saloon for almost an hour and a half. She was freed by firefighters before being flown to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham.

The busy road was closed for several hours afterwards as Highways Agency workers cleared debris.

The cause of the collision is unclear and police are appealing for witnesses.

Force spokesman Chris Ammonds said: “The injuries to the woman’s legs could be quite serious although her condition has not yet been confirmed.

“She was trapped for quite a time before she could be airlifted for treatment. The road was blocked for several hours because of the amount of debris.”

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “The driver of the car suffered serious fractures to both legs. Crews worked with firefighters at the scene to extricate the woman from the car while she was given pain relief and received continuous medical treatment.

“The woman was immobilised with a neck collar and spinal board and both her legs were splinted before she was transferred to the air ambulance that had landed nearby and flown to the region’s specialist trauma centre at Selly Oak.”

Witnesses should call police on 0300 3333000.