A man has been seriously injured and a woman hurt in a two-car crash in the South Hams.

It happened on Plymouth Road in Avonwick at about 5.25pm on Friday, January 3.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the crash involved a VW Polo and a Ford Focus.

The driver of the Focus, a man in his 40s, suffered “multiple serious injuries” and was taken to Derriford Hospital.

The female driver of the Polo was also taken to hospital with minor injuries.

The road was closed for almost five hours as police, firefighters and paramedics worked to rescue the drivers.

The road re-opened at 10.15pm.

A force spokeswoman said: “Police, fire and ambulance were called at 5.25pm on Friday, January 3, following a two-car collision on Plymouth Road in Avonwick.

“The crash involved a VW Polo and a Ford Focus.

“The female driver of the Polo sustained minor injuries.

“The Focus driver, a man in his 40s, sustained multiple serious injuries and was taken to Derriford Hospital.

“The road was closed – traffic was diverted at The Avon Inn.

“It re-opened at 10.15pm.”

Following the crash, officers in Kingsbridge shared their frustration with drivers who ignored the road closure.

In a post of Facebook, they criticised motorists for trying to drive through as emergency services tried to rescue the casualties.

They wrote: “On Friday we attended a nasty road traffic collision at Avonwick.

“Two people were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

“The road was impassable because of the two vehicles and emergency services working to rescue the casualties.

“Cones completely across the road.

“A police car with bright flashing lights blocking the road and a sign which clearly says 'POLICE - ROAD CLOSED' yet still people try to move the cones, drive around them.

“One driver who drove through the closure said it was our fault as it wasn’t clear enough.

“I promise we don’t close the road for fun. I know it’s a slight inconvenience but please just read the sign and find an alternative way home."