New Years RTC was attended by local fire crews

South Hams fire crews were among those called to a vehicle driving the wrong way up the A38.

Local fire crews from Totnes, Buckfastleigh, Ashburton, were called to the New Years Eve incident on the A38 that saw a vehicle travelling the wrong way on the dual carriageway.

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: “Following reports to the emergency services of a vehicle travelling the wrong way on the A38 in the early hours of new year's eve we were called along with our colleagues from Ashburton and Totnes to a five vehicle road traffic collision on the Plymouth bound carriageway at Dartbridge.

“On arrival we had seven casualties to be triaged including one person trapped within one of the vehicles.
Crews split into two sectors with one crew providing first aid to casualties until the arrival of the ambulance service and the other crew performing the extrication of the casualty from the vehicle using hydraulic rescue equipment.

“Thankfully all injuries, though painful, don't appear to be serious and we wish all involved a speedy recovery.

“Crews then concentrated on making all the vehicles safe before handing the duty of care to the police and highways agency to recover the vehicles and make the road safe ready for reopening.”

The incident involved a Mercedes saloon; a Mini countryman; a Ford Transit Van; a Land Rover Freelander; and a Nissan Qashqai. All injuries appear to be minor and the road reopened at 7.15am on New Year's Day. 

A police spokesman said: "A 54-year-old man from the Sidmouth area was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol and dangerous driving.

"He was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital as a precaution following the collision and will be questioned by officers in due course."