Emergency services are responding to a serious crash on Newport Road between Branstone Cross and Apse Heath this afternoon (Wednesday).
Police, fire and ambulance crews have been called to a 2 vehicle collision that has occurred in the S-bends on the main Sandown to Newport road.
The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service have mobilised 3 fire appliances to the scene and the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service have sent 2 ambulances, as well as a senior commander.
Police have closed Newport Road between Branstone Cross and Apse Heath roundabout in both directions.
Traffic in the area is heavy and building as motorists head home from work; drivers are advised to avoid the area. Hale Common, Princelett Shute, Ventnor Road and Newport Road are the affected roads.
UPDATE @ 18:00 – The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance has in the last few minutes landed in a nearby field, with flying doctors now tending to 1 of the 2 casualties involved in the crash.
Firefighters have removed the roof of 1 of the vehicles – a blue Mazda 2.
Southern Vectis has said due to the high volume of traffic being diverted, it may have a knock-on effect to their Route 8 service.
UPDATE @ 18:30 – Coastguard Rescue 175 helicopter from Lee-on-Solent has been requested at the scene to airlift the most seriously injured casualty to Southampton General Hospital.
The second casualty is to be taken to St Mary’s Hospital by land Ambulance.
UPDATE @ 19:00 – The air ambulance has airlifted the male casualty from the Mazda directly to Southampton without the assistance of the Coastguard helicopter.
The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service are standing down from the incident, as are the ambulance service.
Police remain on scene with Newport Road expected to remain closed for some time.
The Collision Investigation Unit from the mainland have been called to in to investigate the crash.
FEMALE WITNESS APPEAL: Police are asking for a crucial female witness of the incident – who left the scene without leaving any details – to contact police as a matter of urgency by calling 101 quoting 1008 of today’s date.
So since changing the road from a 50 to a 30, we’ve seen an increase in accidents in the area… Well done newchurch parish council
Well done “Annon” for making such a stupid statement. This speed reduction ,just like many other similar reductions that have been made all over the Island are suffering from one thing , lack of police resources to catch the idiots that are charging around our road with no though of the consequences
IF it is ‘lack of Police’ then why remove speed cameras? Even if it slowed one person in ten down, then those ‘behind’ the slowed driver then have to drive slower.
We need more no warning hidden cameras. Technology is so good now, they can catch the image of the driver and the speed, and take and sell any car from anyone speeding or driving dangerously.
Jail serial offenders, and fine all, and ban all for five years minimum.
Then watch accidents of serious nature drop.
Because most people don’t notice or care that it’s now 30.
If they were going at 50 Mike’s an hour the outcome would of been worse ,idiot
I know some people have no brain
Good, factual observation, Annon.
Those who are upset by this fact are not interested in evidence proven decisions or discussions.
The changed speed limits were pushed through the Newchurch Parish Council were a vanity project. Not based on balanced, neutral facts followed on by logical, critical thinking.
What a stupid remark. 30mph for a reason it is a dangerous section of road. I use it daily and totally agree with the speed limit being reduced
The council need to put traffic lights there as there are more cars and not enough roads. So traffic lights are the way for island roads.
On a bend!
The lady who was directing the Trafic who ever she was was doing a good job, its nice to see someone who could keep it together when it’s such a panic situation, well done who ever you are
Anna-Marie Johnson…. you did a fantastic job redirecting traffic.
Thankyou to everyone that helped.. Can’t thank you enough. My children still have there daddy
Louise, was your children’s dad one of the casualties.
Hey Louise
So glad to hear he’s doing well . I was first ambulance crew on scene. He was being comforted by very nice off duty police officer
Channel Islands have a 40 mile an hour speed limit…. Small country lanes
this accident is in a 30 mph zone !!!
But this incident happened in a 30 zone
Most people still travel along that stretch of road as it is still 50mph. Road signage should be much bigger to make drivers aware.
I didn’t know the blind were allowed to drive.
For goodness sake have some respect! Clearly peoples lives are at risk from this accident
Wow just wow. My children still have their daddy and there was certainly no speeding going. Im devestated that people can make such remarks when there are multiple reasons accidents happen, you have no idea.
Don’t know what point of this comment is but where the accident as happened the speed limit is 30mph so are you saying increase the limit
No, I am saying the speed limit was 50 mph it has been reduced to 30mph but alot of drivers still go well above the new limit.
Or you are doing 30 and the speed past you like you are in the wrong
I believe he was responding to anons comment who does seem to think rather weirdly that it should still be 50.
Motorways have a 70 limit and are the safest roads, lets make all roads a 70 limit! Stupid logic!
Doesn’t matter what the limit is if people ignore it. Also staying on your side of the road is quite a good idea
40mph….. No zones….. Thats it…. Dah
Pathetic comments! Island full of geriatric drivers and this freak blames a future Housing development.
Coffee smell wake-up (Rearrange for the answer)
Are you all right in the head?
Hope everyone will be okay that was in the accident . And whoever is that super lady who guided the traffic
You deserve a medal for keeping yourself cool at a moment of tragedy
Sounds bad. They get the mainland collision team over for very serious incidents. This road is so dangerous something needs to be done. Hope the casualties recover thoughts with the families.
Roads are not dangerous they do not usualy move but on the other hand some drivers think they own the road and need the full width just fore them
Thankyou smithy. Husband nearly lost his life but he has come out of surgery alive. This had nothing to do with speeding I can assure you. Wish people would think before they type
Thoughts with you hope he comes home soon. Too many know all’s commenting with no facts.
fact is there’s now too many individuals on the road who simply are not good enough, competent, or even understand basic driving and common sense. so often the 2nd car purely follows the 1st without seeing, and or knowing if they can proceed without being/causing obstruction. only an small percentage know the size of their vehicle and are adequate to get about without fuzz. i see daily people who are simply unable to do straightforward overtakes when the roads are quiet. and mostly the general lack of basic paying of attention is to be perfectly honest shocking. at end of the day any 1 behind the wheel of a vehicle is potentially a killer in waiting. if ur not confident enough to drive at testing hrs (rush hour am/pm. do the decent thing and stay off the roads. ur the majority accident causers an nearly always aren’t directly involved in the mayhem you leave behind
And some are using mobile phones whilst driving
Rude absolutely unnecessary many reasons why ‘accidents’ happen I’m furious at what I’m reading. I hope to god your never out in this situation, and under circumstances that everyone is getting so wrong.
There’s nothing wrong with that road! Its quite simple…the road signs say 30 but some people just don’t understand how to follow the rules of the road! I drive that route every day for work and I don’t see how anyone can say its dangerous…its the drivers that are dangerous!
I drive it most days and as with the 30 in Arreton nobody sticks to the limit
Well they need to in shall fleet yesterday the police had a radar gun and were doing speed checks and the idiot in the blue van who overtook me as you get into the 30 zone is going to get a nice envelope landing on his mat in a few days
I do 30 at both and I’m not at all surprised to see people come racing up behind me from nowhere then sit on my tail trying to push me along. So many people seem to think its unreasonable to drive at the speed limit, but like it or not…its the speed limit!
Yep. I’m with you. Cruise control set at 30 as I approach the sign.
Impatient and aggressive driving on the island now. The hot weather has made people even less tolerance then usual. Too many bad accidents over the last few years. Due to Government cut backs we have a reactive police service instead of proactive
I don’t have a problem with sticking to the speed limits, but most people have a problem with me sticking to the limits. They are right up my bum, trying to make me go faster..especially through Newchurch.
Same for me Babs. I stick to the limit regardless and if it upsets other drivers then tough!
Agreed, the lady who helped divert traffic does deserve praise as she managed to keep it all flowing smoothly in such hot conditions and reduce congestion. Traffic never came to a stop. If she’s reading this, thank you very much.
Probably another idiot overtaking a push bike or can’t keep to there side of the road on a bend. Seems to be a lot of it at the moment
More pathetic assumptions from someone who clearly does not know what caused the accident. Got any more banal guesses to make?
No Claire very frigging wrong my love!!!!!
Louise, please don’t read these comments any more. It won’t help you deal with everything you have going on at the moment. Accidents happen or we wouldn’t need the emergency services. I hope your man is up and running soon. Look after yourself and be strong for your family. X
Sorry to hear about this terrible accident. I hope everyone makes a good recovery… How did it come about, I wonder? Did the second vehicle hit a stationary vehicle? Looked like there were some large/wide vehicles in the traffic queue near the bend, coming from Arreton direction. Did their presence cause tailbacks which led to this incident? Not blaming anyone. Just trying to understand events leading up to the accident.