SIX men have been taken to hospital following a crash involving a lorry and a car on the A419 near Swindon and Cricklade.

Two of the victims are suffering from life threatening injuries and have been ferried to Southmead Hospital in Bristol and the others are at the Great Western Hospital.

Five of them were in the car heading south just before 10am when it collided with a lorry coming out of the Castle Eaton junction. The lorry driver suffered minor injuries.

Traffic was at a standstill on the southbound carriageway which was completely closed from the Cricklade junction towards Swindon in the wake of the collision.

It reopened shortly after 4.30pm.

Insp Louis McCoy said earlier: "Tri-force officers are investigating this collision and are carrying out a detailed examination of the road, as a result this part of the A419 will be closed for the next three to four hours.

"I'd like to thank motorists caught up in any delays for their patience and would advise anyone travelling in and around Swindon to avoid this area of the A419 for now. "