A POLICE officer is in a serious condition in hospital after his patrol car was involved in a collision with a parked van in Worcester.

The accident happened at about 1.58am this morning on Barbourne Road, at the junction of Droitwich and Ombersley Roads, when a Vauxhall Astra police car was involved in a collision with a white Ford transit van, rupturing a gas pipe.

It is understood a silver Land Rover Discovery may also have been involved in the collision.

City firefighters cut open the patrol car to free the driver, who was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital, where his condition is described as "'not life threatening."

A second police officer in the vehicle was taken to hospital but later released, while a third officer was treated at the scene.

The road was closed off for nearly six hours and diversions put in place.

Police have asked for witnesses to contact them on 08457 444888, quoting 18C/201103.