POLICE have been making house to house inquiries after a senior officer suffered serious injuries when his car collided with a bus.

They are keen to trace witnesses and a vehicle which was seen turning right towards Throckmorton at the Lower Moor junction of the A4538 at around 5.15pm on Monday, the same time when the blue Ford Mondeo collided with a First Midland Red bus bound for Worcester.

Chief Inspector Ian Browning was trapped in his car for about an hour while Evesham firefighters freed him using hydraulic cutting equipment.

Intensive

He was taken to Ronkswood Hospital in Worcester, where he was said to be in a critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit yesterday (Wednesday).

His car, which was travelling to Evesham, collided with the 551 Evesham to Worcester First Midland Red bus, which left Evesham at 5pm. The bus driver and passengers escaped unhurt.

First Midland Red commercial manager, Austin Birks, said it was not known how many passengers were on board but he believed it was not many, as the service left just before rush hour.

He added: "The driver was extremely shaken up by the crash.

"It's a great deal of sorrow for the people involved and who were injured and we hope they make a speedy and full recovery."

Ian Browning lives in Badsey. He is a former Evesham police inspector, now acting superintendent for the Redditch division.

Acting superintendent Rod Reynolds said: "Everyone who works, or who has ever worked for Ian is very shocked at what has happened and our thoughts are with his wife and family at this very difficult time."

PC Claire Ryan, of West Mercia Constabulary, said the Pershore road was closed off for about three hours from the Fladbury crossroads to the Lower Moor junction.

Hill and Moor parish clerk, Chris Roberts, said the junction was not known as a particular blackspot for crashes.

He said: "I've been here for about four years and I've only heard of three or four accidents.

"Even on safe roads you will always get accidents."