Three Hurt In A27 Crash

Police are investigating a serious road traffic collision which happened westbound on the A27 between Falmer and Hollingbury closing the road for 5 hours.

2011:

They are appealing for witnesses who may have seen a white van going very slowly or had broken down. It was partially in lane one and the verge on that stretch of road.

A skip lorry was involved in a collision with the van at around 7.15am. Three people were injured and major traffic congestion was caused in the area, with queues back to the Lewes bypass.

Sergeant Nick Walker said: "Two men in the white van received serious injuries and have been taken to hospital to be treated. We believe the white van was breaking down or had broken down on the westbound carriageway when the skip lorry was in collision with it. We are keen to talk to anyone who saw the van before the collision or has any information."

Police are advising anyone planning to use the route to avoid the area for the time being. The westbound lane is closed at A270 Lewes Road with a diversion at Stanmer Park. This part of the A27 westbound is likely to be closed until just after midday.

The eastbound lane of the A27 was closed near the scene for about 45 minutes while an air ambulance landed to take a man, believed to be in his early 50s, from the white van to hospital in London. His condition is serious but stable. Another man, aged 27, believed to have been in the van was recovered from under the skip lorry. He has been taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital at Brighton where his condition is described as critical but stable. Both men are from Bexhill.

The driver of the skip lorry received minor injuries and is also being treated at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 0845 60 70 999 quoting Operation Stanway