Two men from the Chippenham area are in hospital with life threatening injuries this afternoon following a serious road accident on the A350 this morning.

The accident took place at around 7am when a Hills recycling lorry pulled out from picking up bins at homes halfway along the dual carriageway and attempted to do a u-turn to make a collection on the opposite side of the road.

As the lorry pulled out, the Ford Transit van travelling in lane one northbound from Chippenham collided with the rear of the vehicle and the Renault Megane collided with the rear of the van.

It is believed that the 26-year-old male driver of the Ford Transit and the 30-year-old male passenger were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.

Both victims were taken to the Great Western Hospital in Swindon with life threatening injuries, and the passenger has since been transferred to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford with serious head injuries.

The three men in the Hills recycing lorry, which landed on its side on the southbound side of the carriageway, were taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

The driver of the Renault Megane was treated for shock at the scene but is not thought to have suffered any serious injuries.

Sergeant Rich Moorhouse from the serious collision investigation team based in Chippenham said: “The driver of the Ford Transit was trapped in the vehicle, while the passenger was flung from the vehicle on to the road.

“There was substantial damage to the Transit van and unfortunately we believe neither of the men were wearing seatbelts, which has contributed to their injuries.”

“Had they been wearing their seatbelts the passenger would not have been thrown from the van.

“At the moment, we are unable to say what speed the vehicles were travelling at. We are currently carrying out skid tests on the road, as a standard procedure.

“The maneouvre that the Hills driver was making is not prohibited, but it is not advisable. Any arrests are still under consideration.”

Traffic has been diverted through Kington Langley all morning, but the road was expected to be opened at around 2pm today.

Witnesses who have not already done so, should call police on 0845 408 7000.