A five-vehicle crash left at least two people injured and brought rush hour traffic to a standstill on a busy route into Shrewsbury today.

Firefighters had to remove a roof from a car to free one person who suffered suspected spinal injuries in the crash on the A5 between the Preston to Emstrey islands.

The incident happened at about 8.30am.

Details about casualties were not immediately clear.

Suzie Fothergill, spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “Three ambulances and an incident support officer were in attendance and one ambulance has taken someone to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

“A car had to have its roof taken off to get to a patient with suspected spinal injuries.”

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service sent three fire engines from Shrewsbury, the rescue tender from Wellington and the incident commander from Shrewsbury.

Police officers were also sent to the scene.

Richard Ewels, spokesman for West Mercia Police, said: “It was reported to us just after 8.25am by an off-duty police officer.

“It was initially reported as a two vehicle collision but it seems five vehicles have been involved to some extent or another. There are at least two people injured.

“The five vehicles involved appear to be a Vauxhall Vectra, a Vauxhall Astra, a Peugeot 106, a Peugeot 406 and a BMW. It’s the drivers of the Astra and BMW who have been taken to hospital.”

Mr Ewels said emergency services were trying to release someone from one of the Peugeots and the westbound carriageway was closed. He added: “We are asking drivers to avoid the area for the time being.”

Yesterday, a man in his 50s had to be taken to hospital following a collision involving two motorcycles near Market Drayton, near to the Stormy Petrel pub in Tern Hill just after 11.10am.

Emergency crews were also called when a teenager had to be airlifted to hospital after falling from his bike during a motocross event at Llan Farm, Twitchen Clunbury, near Craven Arms, at 1.45pm yesterday.