4 KIDS AND 3 ADULTS INJURED IN HEAD-ON MIDDLE ROAD CRASH

7 people – 4 children and 3 adults – have been injured in a head-on crash at Calbourne, with 2 people airlifted to the mainland with serious injuries. Police and paramedics were called to reports of a 2-car collision on Middle Road, near the junction with Pump Lane, at 10:38 this morning (Friday), as first reported by Island Echo. Once on scene the seriousness of the situation became clear to responders, with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service mobilised to help extricate those trapped inside the vehicles. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance also responded to the emergency and has since airlifted 1 of the casualties to Southampton General Hospital. 1 of the vehicles – an unidentifiable blue hatchback – has been shunted off the road backwards and into a hedge lining the carriageway by the force of the impact. The Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance was also drafted in to airlift a second seriously injured casualty. However, once on the ground it was decided to convey the patient by land to St Mary’s Hospital in Newport, with the air ambulance repositioned to the helipad. The out-of-county air ambulance has since transferred 1 of the crash victims to Southampton also. The road remains closed in both directions this afternoon and is likely to be closed for several more hours as investigations into the collision between 2 families continue. Officers from the mainland-based Collision Investigation Unit have arrived at the crash scene to conduct a forensic examination. UPDATE @ 16:30 – Police have launched an appeal for information, with confirmation that 7 people have been injured including 4 children aged between 4 and 8. Read more at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/6-year-old-boy-among-those-seriously-injured-in-calbourne-crash-police-appeal-for-witnesses/.