Three people were injured in a crash after being trapped in their vehicles along a major road into Dorset.

Crews from Axminster, Charmouth and Lyme Regis fire stations raced to an incident after a car and van collided with each other on the A35 Axminster Bypass at Raymonds Hill.

One female was reported to have sustained head injuries, which fire crews started treating immediately upon their arrival on the scene.

Ambulance crews then arrived allowing the police and fire service to ‘formulate a plan’ to safely remove two injured people stuck in the second vehicle.

Fire crews then proceeded to assist the two people with the use of ‘small tools’ and ‘manual handling techniques’ before leaving them in the care of ambulance crews.

A spokesperson for Axminster Fire Station said: “Fire control received a call reporting a two vehicle Road Traffic Collison (RTC) on the A35 Axminster Bypass where persons were believed to still be in the vehicles, control immediately mobilised Axminster alongside Charmouth Fire Station and Lyme Regis Fire Station from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire as well as a supporting officer.

“Once on scene crews confirmed a two vehicle RTC with one vehicle on the grass verge and a second vehicle at the side of the opposite carriageway three lanes over, upon our arrival both vehicles had occupants still within.

“Crews immediately set about gathering information and assessing the needs of any casualties involved and started on casualty care for one female with a head injury.

“An ambulance was shortly on scene and the single casualty from one vehicle self-extricated whilst crews liaised with the ambulance and police to formulate a plan.

“The second vehicle with two casualties within was made safe and crews assisted the persons from within the vehicle with the use of small tools to assist and manual handling techniques.

“Both vehicles were made safe to prevent any escalation after our crews left scene and ‘SRS’ stickers were placed on the vehicles to warn people of the potential dangers still within the vehicles.

“All three persons were left in the hands of the ambulance service and the scene was left in the hands of the Police to await recovery of the two vehicles.”

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "We received reports of a collision involving a van and a car on the A35 at Raymonds Hill, Axminster, at around 2.40pm on Monday, January 8.

"Ambulance service also attended the scene. Occupants of the vehicles were taken to hospital as a precaution; injuries were believed to be minor.  

"Road was clear by 4.05pm."

South West Ambulance Service has also been contacted for more information.