A woman who was trapped in a Mercedes after an accident that also involved a BMW and a Volkswagen van on the A11 near Thetford has been taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Paramedics were called to the crash on the A11 just north of the A1075 roundabout at 1.39pm.

Police said the accident happened when one vehicle broke down and a second stopped to help but was then hit by a third vehicle.

The woman in the Mercedes, who suffered head injuries, was rescued by three crews of firefighters who used hydraulic equipment.

Police said three children who were also in the Mercedes suffered grazes and cuts but were breathing and conscious.

They said another woman suffered a suspected broken leg, while the driver of the van complained of shock and a wrist injury.

Police said paramedics told them none of the injuries were life changing or life threatening.

The ambulance service said one patient was taken to Ipswich Hospital in a serious condition, while another was flown to Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, also in a serious condition.

One lane on the Norwich-bound A11 is closed, causing slow traffic north-bound.