THE A419 is expected to be closed until 7pm tonight following a serious crash in the early hours of the morning.

A 30-year-old man has been rushed to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital with serious injuries after the crash, which happened at 2.30am.

The Independendent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) have been called in 'due to police contact prior to the collision.'

Witnesses who drove past the scene described a car under the back of a HGV. The road is closed from the B4040 junction for Cricklade to the Spine Road junction for South Cerney. Traffic is being diverted via Cricklade and South Cerney.

Traffic management officers earlier appeared to be periodically holding the traffic at Seven Bridges to avoid congestion through Cricklade. Traffic was at a standstill northbound from Blunsdon for much of the morning, with half hour delays southbound from the Highworth roundabout.

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A witness said: "From what I could see it looked like a car had gone into the back of a HGV, the front of the car looked quite badly damaged.

"I couldn't tell for certain but it looked like the car was burnt a bit, like it had been on fire or emitting smoke."

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire said the man had been released from the car using 'holmatro cutting equipment, vehicle winch and stabfast.' Officers from DW Fire were assisted at the scene by Gloucestershire, Cirencester and Royal Berkshire Reading crews.

Wiltshire Police have been on the scene since this morning, having also informed the Independendent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) of the accident. 

The police said: "We can confirm that the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has been informed of the road traffic collision on the A419 which occurred during the early hours of this morning (4/2). 
"This is due to police contact prior to the collision, which occurred at approximately 2.30am on the northbound carriageway between Cricklade and South Cerney.

"The 30-year-old male driver suffered serious injuries and has been taken to John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. 

"This stretch of road is likely to remain closed for several hours and motorists are advised to take the diversion via Cricklade. 

The IOPC have also attended the crash site to access the scene as an investigation is now taking place.

A spokesperson said: “The IOPC was informed of a road traffic incident on the A419 following police contact this morning and has deployed staff to the scene.”

Anyone who witnessed the collision should call 101 and quote log number 12 of February 4.