THREE people were lucky to escape with minor injuries after a head-on smash near Worcester.

The engine of a red Peugeot 206 shot through the air after it collided with a silver Vauxhall Corsa, near Top Barn Farm, Holt, on the A443 at about 5.30pm yesterday. Both cars were wrecked and a third is also thought to have been damaged.

A male driver and female passenger in the Peugeot 206 and the female driver of the Vauxhall Corsa were taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital with minor injuries.

Two fire engines and a rapid response vehicle from the ambulance service attended the scene.

Sergeant Jerry Brooker, from West Mercia Police, who was at the scene, said: “From looking at the state of both cars it is very surprising that all three people have come away with minor injuries.”

The road was closed in both directions for most of the evening.