FIREFIGHTERS were called to a road traffic collision on the A417 close to Birdlip.

At 9.36am yesterday morning the fire and rescue service was called to reports of the collisionwith persons trapped on the stretch of A417 between the Air Balloon roundabout and Nettleton.

Fire engines from Cheltenham East and Gloucester North Fire Stations and the Special Incident Support Unit from Gloucester North were mobilised with a total of nine firefighters.

On arrival, it was found that all persons had been released from their vehicles and the crews assisted paramedics to treat several casualties, whilst awaiting the arrival of ambulances and the air ambulance. 

The crews also made the vehicles safe by disconnecting the batteries and the last fire engine left the scene at just after 11am.