A MAN has been airlifted to hospital with life threatening injuries following a five-car crash in Herefordshire.

West Midlands Ambulance crews described the 21-year-old's condition as "grave".

The incident on the A4112 Leominster to Eardisley occured at around 10.40am yesterday. There was initially a collison between two cars. The three other vehicles were then caught up as they attempted to avoid the crash.

An ambulance spokesman said: "The initial crash happened just after a bend.

"One of the cars finished upside down in a ditch with the driver, the 21-year-old man, unconscious inside.

"The fire crews secured the vehicle while ambulance staff started treating him.

"The rear window was smashed and the man was slid out through it and was then immobilised using a neck collar and spinal board."

The man, suffering from multiple injuries to his head, chest, pelvis and legs, was anaesthetised and airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital.

"The man's condition was said to be grave with life threatening injuries," said the ambulance spokesman.

A woman in the other car was taken to Hereford County Hospital with chest and abdominal injuries. None of the occupants of the other three cars were injured.