THREE MEN have been seriously injured after a crash on the M50 near Ledbury yesterday afternoon (Monday).

The incident happened just before 3pm on the M50 Westbound between junctions two and three.

A van was involved in the incident having come off the road and hit a tree.

Three male patients were attended to by paramedics and an air ambulance, with all three treated for serious injuries.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: "Three Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crews - one each from Fownhope, Whitchurch and Ross-on-Wye Fire Stations - were called at 14:56 on 26 February to and RTC on the M50 Westbound between junctions 2 and 3.  

"Police (log 250) and ambulance (log 2578) were also in attendance, along with the air ambulance.

"The incident involved one van with one male casualty in his 30s trapped and extricated by fire service personnel.

"Two further male casualties, also aged between 30 and 40, were handed over to the care of the ambulance service. The incident was marked as pending closure at 18:35."

West Midlands Ambulance Service revealed one passenger was airlifted to Southmead Hospital for further treatment on serious injuries sustained in the crash.

It also confirmed the driver and a second passenger had been treated for serious injuries and had been transferred to Hereford County Hospital via an ambulance.

"We were called to reports of an RTC on the M50 Northbound between junctions 2 and 3 near Gorsley, Hereford at round 2.50pm," West Midlands Ambulance Service said.

"Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham were sent to the scene where, on arrival, crews discovered a car had come off the road and hit a tree and there were three male patients.

"The first, a passenger, was treated for serious injuries and airlifted to Southmead Hospital for further treatment.

"The driver and a second passenger both received treatment for potentially serious injuries and were conveyed via land ambulance to Hereford County Hospital."

West Mercia Police said: "We received a call at around 2.50pm this afternoon (26 February) following a report of a collision on the M50 near to junction 3.

"Officers arrived at the collision to find one vehicle involved. Officers are still at the scene."