A CRASH between several cars and a lorry has closed the A49 in Herefordshire, with a man cut free from wreckage by firefighters.

A police spokesperson said the A49 is blocked at Pipe and Lyde due to the crash, which involved a number of vehicles.

A man has been taken to a major trauma centre following a multi vehicle collision in Hereford this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said it was called to Church Road near Kenchester Water Gardens in Lyde at 6.14am today (Tuesday).

Three ambulances, a paramedic officer, a critical care paramedic and a Mercia Accident Rescue Service (MARS) BASICS doctor were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find a collision involving several cars and a lorry.

"The occupant of one car, a man, was in a serious condition and required extrication with help from the fire service. Ambulance crews found he had sustained serious injuries and worked as a team to administer trauma care to the man before he was conveyed, on blue lights and sirens, to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

"The critical care paramedic travelled in the ambulance to continue treatment en route.

“A driver and passenger from a second car, both men, were out of the vehicle when ambulance staff arrived.

"The driver was given treatment on scene for injuries not believed to be serious before being taken to Hereford Hospital for further checks. The passenger declined assessment and was discharged on scene.”

The road will be closed for several hours, police said.

Officers are also appealing for witnesses to come forward.

"We are appealing for witnesses following a collision north of Hereford in Lyde, this morning," a spokesperson said.

"At around 6.15am on the A49 near to the junction with Church Road in Lyde, three vehicles, a white Fiat 500, a black Honda Civic and an HGV were involved in a serious collision.

"The driver of Fiat 500, a man in his 50s, was taken to hospital for treatment and while his injuries are serious they are not believed to be life-threatening. The drivers of the other two vehicles received minor injuries with one attending hospital as well.

"The road remains closed while investigation and recovery work continues and is likely to remain closed for several hours.

"We are keen for anyone with dashcam footage or who witnessed the collision to please contact us on 101 quoting reference 00072i of the 29 December 2020."