AN elderly man and a child had to be airlifted to hospital after a collision on the A39 near Marhamchurch.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the two-car collision — they were called to the scene at 2.05pm yesterday (Wednesday).

The child was airlifted to Bristol Children’s Hospital with a potentially serious head injury, and a woman and a second child in the car are also believed to have sustained injuries.

The elderly male driver of the second car has been airlifted to Derriford Hospital by a second air ambulance.

The road was closed in both directions for the air ambulances to land and diversions were put in place for building traffic.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log 451 of August 30.