Driver released from vehicle following collision on A41 near Hinstock

A multi-agency emergency response was mobilised on Tuesday afternoon, 2 September, following a serious two-car collision on the A41 near Hinstock, which resulted in a male driver becoming trapped with serious injuries.

At 4.55 pm, fire control received reports of a Road Traffic Collision with persons trapped on the A41. Rescue pumps from Market Drayton and Newport, along with the heavy rescue tender and support pump from Wellington and an operations officer from headquarters, were immediately dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, crews were confronted with a nearly head-on collision involving two saloon vehicles, both of which had sustained significant damage. The male driver of one vehicle was found to be trapped, having suffered serious injuries.

Fire crews swiftly began stabilising the vehicle while setting up Holmatro hydraulic cutting and spreading equipment for the extrication. The Midlands Air Ambulance, based at RAF Cosford, arrived carrying critical care paramedics who immediately began a clinical assessment, administering pain relief and treatment to the casualty.

The seriousness of the incident and initial reports of multiple casualties prompted the arrival of a second air ambulance from Tatenhill in Staffordshire. Officers from West Mercia Police closed the A41 in both directions to allow the emergency services to work safely.

Firefighters worked quickly to perform a full side removal of the car, creating a large amount of space around the casualty to allow paramedics better access and aid in their release. When the trapped driver began to show signs of deteriorating, the critical care team made the decision to perform a time-critical extrication.

Working closely with paramedics, crews carefully but quickly lifted the driver from the vehicle. Once freed, the casualty received immediate treatment before being stabilised and flown to the trauma centre at the Royal Stoke University Hospital for further assessment.

The driver of the second vehicle was transported to hospital via land ambulance.

The A41 remained closed for a number of hours to facilitate a collision investigation and the recovery of the damaged vehicles.