Last updated at 10:19, Sunday, 22 June 2008

Police reopened the A596 last night four hours after several accidents happened within a few hundred yards of each other.

Three people were taken to hospital after firefighters cut them free from vehicles involved in the collisions - all on a short stretch of the A596 between the Thursby roundabout and Crofton turn-off, west of Carlisle.

None of them are believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries. 

Cumbria Police say the accidents, involving several vehicles, happened just before 7pm. 

A van, recovery truck and car were involved in the initial collision. There were two subsequent accidents nearby shortly after. 

Police warned motorists to take extra care because of surface water sitting on roads across Cumbria.

More rain and high winds are expected to hit Cumbria today.

First published at 21:14, Saturday, 21 June 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk