GRIDLOCKED traffic jammed the Blue Anchor coast-road for nearly three hours on Monday evening following a four-vehicle pile-up resulting in four people being taken to hospital.

Two fire and rescue appliances from Minehead and a Taunton rescue tender were mobilised after three cars and a van were involved in a multiple collision near the Withycombe Lane junction.

A Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “The occupants were trapped in two of the vehicles and one, a woman, was only released after a car door was removed. She was taken to hospital but her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.”

Police reported that two men were also taken to hospital, one with a suspected broken leg and the other with chest injuries.

The A39 was closed east of Carhampton until 8pm. Police are asking that any witnesses to the accident ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 quoting October 19 and number 512.