A PATIENT was airlifted to hospital after a serious crash on a busy Cumbrian road.

Three people were injured in the crash on the A591 today, with police closing the road in both directions between Grasmere and Keswick due to the crash at Thirlmere.

It involved two vehicles - one of which was a car towing a caravan - and saw three people taken to hospital.

Cumbria Police has confirmed that the road has now been reopened in both directions.

One person is set to be released tonight, one is being tested by doctors and the third is to be X-rayed.

Among those injured was a casualty from west Cumbria.

Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 11.30am, closing the road.

A spokesman for the Great North Air Ambulance said: "We were called at 11.46am and were on the scene in 20 minutes.

"Two doctors and a paramedic were on board. One patient was airlifted at 1pm to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle."

A North West Ambulance Service spokeswoman added: "We were called at 11.35am this morning and attended with an air ambulance, three ambulances, two advanced paramedics and one rapid response vehicle.

"Three patients were taken to hospital, one of which was taken to a major trauma centre with serious injuries."

Police were advising motorists to use an alternative route, while recovery work was carried out and patients were taken to hospital.