This was the horrifying aftermath of a head-on crash on the A420 in south Oxfordshire.

Miraculously the three occupants of the mangled vehicles were not killed outright.

Two with the most urgent medical needs were airlifted to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital, suffering from serious injuries. A third person, also with severe injuries, was taken to hospital by road.

Police, ambulance and fire crews from Faringdon and Bampton, as well as specialist rescue teams from Kidlington and Didcot, were called to the scene of the crash at Littleworth, near Faringdon, at around 4.30pm on Saturday.

Incident commander Paul Bremble coordinated the rescue effort at the scene.

He said: “This was a concerted team effort by all services present who worked quickly and effectively in difficult conditions.

“All three casualties had serious injuries that needed urgent medical attention. The emergency services worked well to release the casualties, who were quickly removed and taken to hospital.”

He added: “We ask that drivers drive carefully around the country roads.”

The A420 was closed in both directions at Littleworth while an investigation was carried out. It was reopened later in the evening.

Meanwhile, four people were also taken to the JRH after an accident involving an HGV lorry and two cars on the northbound carriageway of the Eastern by-pass, close to Rose Hill, at around 5.30pm on Saturday.

And on Friday, five people had to be cut free from a car after it hit the central reservation on the A34 between Chilton and Didcot. Fire crews from Didcot and Abingdon, as well as the Kidlington rescue team attended the scene.

Two helicopters were used to transport the most seriously injured to hospital, while the others were taken by road.

Incident commander Gary Mattingley said: “I would like to thank those passing medical professionals and members of the public for their assistance in caring for those who were injured, before the arrival of the emergency services.

“They provided first aid, comfort and reassurance to those involved. I would also thank those who waited patiently in the traffic to allow the helicopters to land on the dual carriageway.”

The Oxford Mail was last night unable to find out the condition of the injured in any of the incidents.

awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk