April 2009 - Man critically inured after A286 crash near Midhurst

A Midhurst man in his 20s was taken to hospital in a critical condition after his car crashed on the A286 north of the town.

He suffered head, pelvic and leg injuries when the vehicle, which was travelling north up what is known locally as The Heath hill, left the road, hit a bank and smashed into a tree.

The accident happened just before 6.30pm yesterday (Monday, April 27) between Easebourne village and the turn-off leading to the former King Edward VII Hospital.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said the driver was trapped inside the car, a Ford Focus. He was extricated by fire crews from Midhurst and Chichester using hydraulic rescue equipment.

Ambulance paramedics and a SIMCAS immediate care service doctor tended to the casualty, and Surrey air ambulance was also at the scene.

It was decided, however, not to airlift him but to take him by road ambulance to St George's Hospital, London.

Sussex Police have asked witnesses to the crash to contact them on 0845 60 70 999, quoting Operation Keswick.