A MAN in his 80s is fighting for his life at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham following a road crash several miles north of Monmouth.

Sam Phillips from Ross-on-Wye, who was at the forefront of his home town’s French and German Twinning Associations and the Men’s Shed charity, was involved in a collision between two vehicles on the A49 near Harewood End on Friday, January 10, at around 5.05pm.

A crew from the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Fire and Rescue Service extricated Mr Phillips from a silver 4x4 Suzuki and the driver of a grey Ssangyong pickup,

Three ambulance crews from the West Midlands Ambulance Service attended, along with a trauma team and a doctor, who had arrived at the scene by air ambulance to treat the elderly man.

Mr Phillips was taken by ambulance to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for further trauma care, where he remains. Two other casualties were discharged at the scene.

West Mercia Police have launched an appeal for information on the collision which has left Mr Phillips with 'potentially life-threatening injuries.

A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: “At around 5.05pm two vehicles, a Silver 4x4 Suzuki and a grey Ssangyong pickup, were travelling in opposite directions along the A49 between Hereford and Ross-on-Wye.

“The cars collided, leaving one driver – a man in his 80s - with serious and potentially life-changing injuries. He was taken to hospital where he remains.

“The driver of the second vehicle suffered minor injuries. No one else was injured.

“Anyone with information or dashcam footage of the collision, or in the moments before, is asked to contact PC Tom Milton. You can email him at [email protected].”

Monday’s Ross Town Council meeting was told by Cllr Ed O’Driscoll that Mr Phillips had been taken to the hospital in Birmingham, and added that he is an active member of the local Liberal Democrats.

He said: “Everybody is keeping everything crossed for Sam’s speedy recovery following the serious accident he was involved in on Friday.

“Sam has always been a huge part of the community in Ross including many charitable organisations. While he is currently in a poor state we wish him well in his recovery.”