A MAN and a woman were hurt after two crashes closed the A449 for several hours. 

There was gridlock traffic on the A449 northbound for almost three hours after two separate crashes took place on Saturday afternoon (January 28). 

A van hit the central reservation between Claines and Ombersley junction at around 3.40pm.

A passenger was treated at the scene by paramedics.

A spokesperson from West Midlands Ambulance service said: "A van hit the central reservation.

"The passenger in the vehicle had minor injuries and was treated at the scene."

West Mercia Police also attended the scene and a spokesperson said: "We were called to a road traffic collision involving one car at the junction of the A449 and Worcester Road in Ombersley at 3.45pm on Saturday.

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"One ambulance and a paramedic officer attended the scene.

"Upon arrival, we found a man and a woman who were the driver of and a passenger in the car.

"They were assessed by ambulance staff and had sustained minor injuries.

"They received self-care advice from ambulance staff and were discharged at the scene."

About an hour later, another crash took place on the A449 northbound carriageway at 4.45pm involving two cars.

Nobody was injured in the second crash.

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A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "The A449 was closed while officers dealt with the collisions and for the recovery of the vehicles involved.

"Our colleagues from the Highways Agency also attended to clear the debris from the carriageway.

"The road re-opened at 6pm."