THE emergency services were called to three major accidents on Herefordshire roads in the space of three days.
A driver had a lucky escape after colliding with an HGV trailer laden with steel in the middle of the road on Thursday.
The trailer had become disconnected from its cab on the A44 near Monkland.
Emergency services were called to the scene at 5.30am and the driver, who was cut free by firefighters, escaped with a cut hand.
David Taylor, the sub-officer at Leominster fire station, said: "When the man was freed, he was able to walk to the ambulance, which amazed us. We told him to go and buy himself a lottery ticket."
The trailer, which stayed upright, had become dislodged from its cab close to the Canon Pyon junction and came to rest in the middle of the road without lights.
Elsewhere, a motorist was seriously hurt after his red Citroen AX hit a bridge on the A417 near Yarkhill at about 4.15am on Friday.
The male driver suffered serious head injuries and was taken to Hereford County Hospital. He was still in a critical condition as the Hereford Times went to press.
One of four female passengers was taken to hospital with breathing difficulties, while the others sustained minor injuries and shock.
The road between Newtown and Trumpet crossroads was closed for six hours and anyone with information can call PC Kevin Carter on 08457 444888.
Meanwhile, seven people were hurt in a serious collision on the A4103 at Shucknall on Saturday.
A lilac Citroen Picasso and a blue Mitsubishi Colt collided at 5.21pm on the Hereford to Worcester road, resulting in substantial damage to both vehicles.
The male driver of the Citroen suffered hand injuries, while a female passenger and a child escaped with minor injuries.
The driver of the Mitsubishi suffered head injuries and two children suffered minor injuries, including an 11-year-old boy, who was trapped in the car before being freed by firefighters.
He was taken to Hereford County Hospital with serious, but not life-threatening, injuries.
All three emergency services attended and the road was closed in both directions for about four hours.
Anyone with information can call PC Phil Harvey on 08457 444888.
