THE A358 at Hatch Beauchamp will remain closed until this afternoon after yesterday’s (February 14) “serious collision,” Somerset Council confirmed.

Travel Somerset, the council's traffic authority, said: “A reminder the A358 is still closed and will remain closed until this afternoon while the road is repaired and resurfaced.”

Motorists are now being told to find an alternative route if they are travelling between Taunton and Ilminster.

The road was closed yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, February 14) at Hatch Beauchamp, and Travel Somerset said it was expecting it to be shut for “some time”.

A driver was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries after being involved in a “serious collision” with a lorry.

The collision took place between Bickenhall Lane and Griffin Lane.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said yesterday: “A black Range Rover and a white DAF lorry travelling in opposite directions were involved in the collision.

“The driver of the car has been airlifted to hospital with injuries currently described as life-threatening and their next of kin are being supported.

“The lorry driver has gone to hospital by land ambulance with injuries not currently believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.

“The A358 is expected to remain closed between its junctions with the A303 and the A378 while collision investigators examine the scene and pending recovery of the vehicles.

“Motorists are urged to avoid the area.

“If you were travelling on that section of the A358 and have any dashcam footage or any other information we’d like to hear from you.

“If you can help, please call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5224039756, or complete our online appeals form.”

Somerset Council shared more details about the emergency repair works needed here.