A road traffic collision between a car and a van on one of the busiest roads on the Isle of Wight, which has seen a vehicle come to rest on its side, is leading to traffic chaos in Wootton this lunchtime (Thursday).
Emergency services – including police, fire and ambulance – are responding to a crash outside The Sloop at Wootton Bridge, between Newport and Ryde.
The incident occurred on the Ryde side of the bridge at just before 11:55 and has prompted the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service to dispatch a number of resources, with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service mobilising 2 appliances from Ryde and East Cowes (Newport).
Fire crews and paramedics are working to assist the occupants of the overturned vehicle, a Ford Puma, who are medically trapped.
Police have closed the road in both directions between Brannon Way – outside Tesco Express – and Firestone Copse Road.
Traffic is heavy in all directions, particularly heading up Lushington Hill and on Briddlesford Road heading towards Downend – not aided by the closure of Havenstreet, which would normally be a natural diversion route to and from Ryde. Firestone Copse is also badly congested, with traffic on The Downs itself backed up to Knighton for those heading west.
Southern Vectis has suspended all of its Route 4 buses, whilst Route 9 buses will be diverting via Blackwater, Downend Road, Brading Down, Marlborough Road and East Hill Road to the Transport Interchange at Ryde Esplanade.
The bus operator is running a shuttle service between Newport and Wootton every 30 minutes. A shuttle between Ryde and Binstead will also soon operate.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area.
UPDATE @ 12:51 – The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance has touched down in a field off Firestone Copse Road as flying medics respond to the scene of the crash, to provide enhanced pre-hospital emergency care.
Wootton Bridge is likely to remain closed for the next couple of hours.
UPDATE @ 13:07 – The occupant of the vehicle has now been assisted out of the wreckage and into an awaiting ambulance for further assessment and treatment.
UPDATE @ 13:46 – The air ambulance has now lifted off, but has not been required to airlift the casualty to a mainland hospital. Instead, the medics have gone to their next emergency in the New Forest.
A man in his 70s has been conveyed by land ambulance to St Mary’s Hospital.
Recovery of the vehicles is now underway, with the road expected to reopen shortly.
UPDATE @ 15:03 – Wootton Bridge has now reopened in both directions following recovery of the vehicles involved.
Southern Vectis says its Route 4 and 9 buses are resuming a normal route.
I’ll tell you what. The underside of that car is spotless! Must be brand new how gutting!
Looking at the number plate it looks like a 25 plate?
Looks like the same spot where recently a woman pulled out in front of me- somehow I swerved around her, and nothing was coming the other way.
More numpty driving on the island, there are too
many shunts on the island for my liking
Lol
There is no suggestion that this was a shunt, indeed a shunt would be unk=likely to result i this sort of outcome. The only publishe evidence is that there was a collision. Usually best to only commen on what has been established as fact rather than make it up.
HOW ? How is this possible more utter shit driving standards..