One person has died, and two people are fighting for their lives, following a crash between three cars on the A146 near Loddon.

The emergency services launched a massive response after two cars collided head on, and a third car then crashed into the wreckage on the A146 near High Bungay Road, at about 4.40pm.

A total of 13 paramedic vehicles were sent to the scene, including three air ambulances - two from Norfolk and one from Hertfordshire - and four crews of fire fighters from Norfolk and Suffolk freed a number of casualties who were trapped.

Two people were anaesthetised at the scene and airlifted straight to Addenbrooke's Hospital with critical injuries.

Two other people suffered serious injuries which were described as 'potentially life changing'. One of them was taken by land to the James Paget Hospital, and another to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

Two other people were described as 'walking wounded'.

An ambulance service spokesman said one person died and another was critically injured in one car, one person was critically injured and two seriously injured in another car, and two people in the third car had less serious injuries which did not require hospital treatment.

The accident caused long delays to rush-hour and Bank Holiday traffic in the area, with the A146 Loddon bypass in Loddon closed and traffic queueing in both directions between the Norwich Road junction and the Beccles Road junction.

The Highway Agency helped police with a diversion through Loddon, and police urged motorists to avoid the A146 in the area.

Police said at 9.30pm that the road was likely to remain closed for 'a short while longer'.

Police are keen to hear from any witnesses who may have seen the collision. Any witnesses should contact Wymondham Serious Collision Investigation Team on 101