Woman airlifted after lorry collides with van and tree near Bridgnorth

The Midlands Air Ambulance was scrambled to the B4364 between Burwarton and Bridgnorth at around 8.10am this morning.

Emergency services were alerted to a report of a collision between a lorry and a van.

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said it was reported that the light goods lorry then collided with a tree.

The woman, who was driving the lorry and aged in her forties, was trapped inside the vehicle for more than two hours.

She was airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

The van driver, a man in his fifties, received neck injuries and was taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and another man, who was a passenger in the van, was also treated for minor injuries and taken to Princess Royal Hospital.

A spokesman for West Mercia Police said the woman's injuries were "life-changing".

Police closed the road for several hours between the turn for Chetton and Neenton Bridge. It reopened at 3pm this afternoon.

Two ambulances together with a paramedic officer in a rapid response vehicle, a BASICS doctor and Midlands Air Ambulances' from Cosford and Staffordshire were sent to the scene. A West Mercia Police spokesman said: "It is obviously very serious because the woman was trapped, and has since been taken by air ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for treatment. But this is going to be life changing for her."

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "Crews responded to a road traffic collision involving a light goods lorry and van. It was reported that the lorry then collided with a tree.

"The woman driver of the lorry, believed to be in her forties, was trapped in her vehicle for over two hours. She was later released and treated for serious multiple injuries.

"Additional blood and medical supplied were delivered to the scene by a second air ambulance as medics worked to stabilise the condition of the trapped patient.

"The woman was sedated by a doctor at the scene before being airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The hospital was alerted to the serious condition of the patient.

"A male van driver in his fifties received neck injuries and was taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. A male passenger in the van was also treated for minor injuries and taken to Princess Royal Hospital."

Officers are appealing for any witnesses to come forward to help them with their investigation.

A spokesman for West Mercia Police added: "The white transit van was heading in the opposite direction - away from Neenton - where it is believed the van made contact with the lorry. The road opened just after 3pm."

A spokesman for Shropshire Fire and Rescue said: "Shropshire Fire Service was called to the scene at 8.13am and used cutting equipment to free the casualty from the HGV."

Anyone with information should call Police on 101.