Surf boards caused serious crash

Police attended a serious road traffic collision on the A361 North Devon link road on Friday morning, 22nd August, at around 11.30am near South molton.

Three vehicles were involved in the collison, a Peugeot 206, a Triumph Spitfire and a Renault Megane.

The Peugeot was travelling towards Barnstaple followed by the Triumph. The Renault was travelling in the opposite direction towards Tiverton

Two surf boards came off the roof bars of the Peugeot and flew into the air, one hitting the female passenger of the Triumph Spitfire (convertible) as the driver tried to take avoiding action.

Unfortunately he crossed into the path of the Renault and a serious collision resulted.

The driver and passenger of the Triumph had to be extricated from the vehicle by DFRS and both were flown to Derriford Hospital.

The driver has sustained very serious injuries considered life changing.

The passenger sustained a head and hand injury.

The driver of the Renault was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital having sustained a broken wrist and damaged vertebra in his neck. His three passengers were taken to the North Devon District Hospital with more minor injuries.

There were long traffic tail backs in the area and diversions were put in place whilst emergency services dealt with the incident and police carried out an investgation.