FIREFIGHTERS had to release a woman trapped in a car following a three car crash on the A303 this afternoon (April 24).

Emergency services were called out at 1.30pm to the crash which happened between Southfields Roundabout and the A356 Prophet's Lane/Crewkerne turn off.

Three fire engines from Ilminster, Martock and Yeovil were mobilised and on arrival crews confirmed there was one female casualty inside one of the vehicles and got to work setting up equipment to release her.

The air ambulance landed at the incident and assisted crews with the casualty.

At 2.24pm the woman had been released from the vehicle using hydraulic cutting equipment.

There were also two walking wounded who were dealt with by paramedics.

A spokesman for the ambulance service said: "We were called today at 1.31pm to attend a reported three-vehicle road traffic collision on the A303 westbound near David’s Lane, Seavington.

"We attended with two rapid response vehicles, three ambulances, a helicopter with two specialist paramedics, an operations officer, a critical care car, and a doctor.

"A female was flown to Southmead Hospital with serious injuries. Another patient was driven to Musgrove Park Hospital. A third patient was driven to Yeovil District Hospital."

The A303 was closed in both directions between Ilminster's Southfields roundabout and South Petherton roundabout.

As of 3.47pm a diversion route was put in place via the A356, A30 and the A358. The road has now reopened.

Last updated 3.50pm.