A set of pictures reveal the scale of a head-on collision in Box where a woman was critically wounded.
The car occupants – a man, a woman and a baby – were rushed to hospital for treatment following the serious crash on the A4 in Box at around 4.30pm yesterday afternoon (Monday 6 March).
Emergency services, including Wiltshire Air Ambulance and specialist Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) medics from Bristol, were called to the incident. At least five ambulances were also in attendance, alongside numerous fire crews from Wiltshire and Bath – including the Heavy Rescue Unit from Trowbridge.
A woman in her 40s sustained multiple serious injuries and was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol. She is now believed to be in a stable condition. Miraculously, her baby was uninjured.
The driver, a man in his 40s, sustained multiple fractured ribs and was taken to the Royal United Hospital. The male driver of the bus, which was not in service and had no passengers, sustained minor injuries.
Pictures from the scene
More than a dozen first responders surrounded the car involved – a Volkswagen Golf – in a bid to extract a casualty. Efforts to extricate the wounded continued for more than an hour as daylight faded.
Ambulances lined the A4 Box Hill, near the Box Tunnel viewpoint, as medics worked to save the lives of the occupants of the car. The bus driver, who was not transporting passengers, suffered minor injuries.
As dusk fell, 999 crews continued to work at the scene. Two hours after the collision, at around 6.30pm, medics and firefighters started to leave the location and Wiltshire Police launched a full-scale probe.
A highly-skilled forensic collision investigator was tasked with gathering the evidence and establishing what happened in the moments leading up to the head-on impact.
Roads policing officers and the investigator remained on scene overnight, undertaking the complex investigation. The road didn’t reopen until shortly before 6am today (Tuesday).
The route was closed for more than 13 hours to allow the emergency services to work and recover the vehicles involved.
Wiltshire Police is appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision, as well as anyone who may have dashcam footage, to get in touch. Contact the Serious Collision Investigation Team on 01225 694597 and quote log number 192 of 6 March or email [email protected].
MORE ON THIS: Man, woman and baby rushed to hospital after serious crash near Box Tunnel
In a statement, a Faresaver Buses spokesperson said: “Yesterday afternoon at approximately 1620 a bus travelling out of service towards Bath was hit by a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction as the vehicle entered the village of Box.
“Emergency services attended the scene and the road was closed for several hours. Thankfully our driver escaped with relatively minor injuries. The driver of the car and passenger were taken to hospital for further assessment.
“We appreciate all the messages sending everyone involved their best wishes.”
Louise Gardner, an expert road traffic accident solicitor from specialist personal injury law firm Novum Law based in Swindon, said: “This was a nasty crash and our utmost sympathies are with the man and woman who have been seriously injured as a result.
“In the immediate aftermath of a collision, victims and their families are often in a lot of shock. Dealing with serious, potentially life-changing injuries can be overwhelming and very difficult. It can also lead to money worries if you have to take lots of time off work, or if your injuries mean you won’t be able to go back to work.
“Our friendly, caring team of expert solicitors can advise if you have grounds for making a compensation claim. This can help give you financial security and pay for any extra medical treatment and rehabilitation you might need.”
