Road closed after four hurt in crash involving lorry

BBC A picture of a number of emergency service vehicles by a lorry that is on its side with a broken windscreenBBC
An air ambulance was called to the incident

A major road in East Sussex was closed in both directions for several hours after a "serious" crash involving a car and a lorry, police say.

Sussex Police were called to the incident just before 07:00 BST on Tuesday on the A267 at Cross in Hand, near Heathfield.

It involved a sewage tanker travelling northbound, and a black Ford Focus travelling southbound, police said.

Four occupants in the car were seriously injured and the lorry driver was uninjured.

Two police cars with more emergency services in the background on the road
Drivers have been told to use a different route

An air ambulance was photographed at the scene.

Police advised drivers to find an alternative route and said diversion signs were in place.

Those who drove past but did not stop at the scene, who may have dash cam or mobile footage, are asked to contact police as well as "anyone who saw what happened".

Heathfield and Waldron Parish Council chairman Gill Snook said the car involved was "so badly mangled" that it was "completely unrecognisable".

She said the crash was close to a known blackspot which the council had campaigned about in the past.

Solutions had included a roundabout, flashing lights, or “anything that will slow the traffic down approaching the junction,” she added.

An East Sussex County Council spokesperson said: “We have not yet received the details of the incident and understand that Sussex Police are still investigating the circumstances around the crash.

“We are unable to comment further at this time.”

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