Car smash blocks main road

Long queues developed in each direction. The trunk road was closed for a while.

Later, vehicles were diverted a short way up the narrow Hooe lane as far as the Lamb Inn.

They then had to negotiate the acute bend beside the Lamb in order to go down the other leg of the junction to rejoin the A259 on the far side of the accident scene.

A fleet of four ambulances took the injured to the Conquest Hospital at Hastings and to the Eastbourne District General Hospital.

The accident involved a BMW saloon, a Volvo and a Jeep. Two of the vehicles ended up in the hedge. Firefighters from Bexhill were assisted by colleagues from Pevensey.

Police at the scene said five people had been hurt.

The accident happened at 5.30pm and the road was still blocked nearly two hours later.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to contact PC Sarah Blatchly at the Road Policing Unit at Bexhill police station on 0845 6070999.

Police later described the injuries suffered by a 28-year-old Bexhill man who was driving the BMW as serious.

They said the Volvo had emerged from the B2095 Hooe Road on to the A259 when a collision occurred with the BMW, which was travelling west.

A Jeep Cherokee travelling in the opposite direction was in collision with the BMW.

The Volvo driver, a 52-year-old man from Eastbourne, suffered slight injuries and was taken to the Eastbourne District General Hospital.

The Jeep driver, a 37-year-old woman from Bexhill was taken to the Conquest Hospital with slight injuries, said police.