Casualty at hospital after lorry in collision

ONE person was taken to hospital after a crash involving a lorry and a van near East Midlands Airport yesterday morning.

The A453 Ashby Road, which runs past the airport entrance and links junction 23a with Donington Park racing circuit, was shut for more than an hour in both directions.

Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 8am.

Drivers were warned to avoid the area while 999 teams dealt with the incident as congestion built up on surrounding roads.

A spokesman for Leicestershire Police said the collision happened to the west of the airport entrance and main car parks.

A message was sent to followers of the force’s official Twitter account.

It stated: “The A453 is closed from the roundabout at Isley Walton to the junction with Grimes Gate. Access is also restricted from Diseworth to the A453. Please find alternative routes.”

Later, the force said the crash involved a lorry and a van, with several casualties treated at the scene by paramedics from the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS). Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service did not attend.

An Emas spokesman confirmed one casualty was taken to hospital. Police earlier said their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

The Emas spokesman said: “We received a call to a road traffic collision involving a lorry and a car on the A453 Ashby Road, near East Midlands Airport, at 8.10am.

“We sent a crewed ambulance to the scene and one patient was taken to the Royal Derby Hospital.

“Two further patients were treated at the scene.”

The incident was cleared and the road reopened shortly before 9.30am.