A MAN remains in a serious condition after a lorry and a car crashed on A358 last week.

The 32-year-old man was cut out of the wreckage and rushed to hospital with a life-threatening head injury after the crash, which was at around 6.45am on Wednesday, August 24, near Hatch Beauchamp.

The man has recovered to a serious but stable condition, and police say his injuries are now no longer life threatening.

The road was closed for nine hours while collision investigators were at the scene carrying out an examination of the scene.

The A358 was been closed between J25 of the M5 and the Southfields roundabout near Ilminster.

There was heavy traffic in the location and public were advised to avoid the area and find an alternative route while emergency services dealt with the incident.

Cars driving down towards Ilminster were stopped near to where the snack van is.

One person who did not wish to be named said: "I drove past it and it looked terrible.

"I hope who ever is involved is okay."

There were also severe delays for drivers heading out of Taunton.

A spokesperson for South West Ambulance Service said: "We were called to a road traffic collision on the A358 at Hatch Beauchamp.

"There was one male injury, a 32-year-old man, who has suffered a serious head injury.

"He also possibly has a fractured leg."

The fire service were also called and two engines from Taunton, a rescue tender and one from Bridgwater.

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset and Fire and Rescue Service said: "One male was trapped within the car.

"Crews set to work with two sets of hydraulic cutting equipment to release the male from the car.

"Fire crews liaised with paramedics and an on scene doctor to release the male from the car using two sets of hydraulic cutting equipment and small tools.  "The male was transferred to hospital via ambulance.  "Crews made the vehicles and scene safe and have left duty of care with the Police."