TWO people were left trapped following a collision between a car and a van near Oswestry, which left three people requiring hospital treatment.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the junction of the A5 and Gamesters Lane, Oswestry at 2.08pm and sent three ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford to the scene.

The Welsh Air Ambulance was also in attendance.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival crews discovered a total of three patients.

“A woman, who was the passenger in the van, had to be cut free by colleagues from the fire service. She was treated by ambulance crews for serious injuries, not believed to be life-threatening.

“The driver of the van, a man, managed to get himself out of the vehicle and was treated for potentially serious injuries.

“A second man, who was the driver of the car, also had to be cut free by the fire service. He was also treated for serious injuries, not believed to be life-threatening.

“All three patients were then taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital by land ambulance for further treatment.”

Fire crews from Oswestry, Baschurch and Wellington were dispatched to the incident, along with an operations officer, West Mercia Police and the air and land ambulances.

The crews used holmatro cutting equipment to release casualties, who are now in the care of ambulance crews.

West Mercia Police confirmed the road closure, and urged road users to find another route.

A tweet from the force said: " A5 at Shotatton crossroads towards Oswestry following an RTC.

"Please avoid the area and take an alternative route!"