THE driver of a car involved in a three-vehicle collision which left a man with serious injuries has been arrested.

The car, a silver Ford Focus, was travelling southbound on a northbound stretch of the A24, police said in a statement yesterday soon after the crash at 7.25am.

A 33-year-old man from Southwater has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The crash happened on the A24 northbound at the Buck Barn crossroads near Southwater.

Police say the Ford Focus collided head-on with a Vauxhall Combo van. A Renault van then collided with the rear of the combo van.

The Vauxhall driver, a 53-year-old man from Sompting, had a serious chest injury and, according to ambulance staff, a head injury and was flown to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, by the Kent, Surrey and Sussex air ambulance. He is in a stable condition.

A 26-year-old man driving the Renault van was treated for slight injuries at Worthing Hospital.

The Ford Focus driver, following treatment at Worthing Hospital for minor injuries, was taken to Worthing custody centre where he was interviewed and later released on bail until April 25 while enquiries continue.

The 7.25am accident closed the northbound carriageway of the A24 all day until 12.25am today.

Traffic was queueing between the B2135 Steyning Road and Mill Straight.

The road had to be resurfaced because of the crash, which left firefighters using hydraulic cutting gear to release one casualty.

Anyone who saw what happened and who has not yet contacted police is asked to email collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk or phone 101, quoting Operation Usher.