The A27 Shoreham Bypass was closed for over seven hours this morning after two cars were involved in a serious accident.

The crash happened near the Shoreham Airport traffic lights at the Sussex Pad.

The road was closed between the Lancing Manor roundabout and the Shoreham flyover from 5.30am until about 12.30pm.

Police say an 11-year-old boy was among those "seriously" injured in the crash.

It involved a red Peugeot and a white Vauxhall Vivaro van which collided at the crossroads.

Inside the Peugeot a 50-year-old woman and an 11-year-old boy suffered serious injuries, while a 39-year-old van driver suffered minor injuries.

The fire service confirmed that two casualties had to be cut free from the wreckage of one of the vehicles.

Police say the eastbound carriageway is likely to stay closed until at least 11am while an investigation is completed and the scene cleared.

Officers have launched Operation Fairmile, and have appealed for any witnesses or anyone with dashboard camera footage to come forward.

The westbound carriageway is being reopened.

The Argus:

The accident happened on the eastbound side.

The westbound carriageway was closed to allow the air ambulance to land.

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Two casualties were cut free from the wreckage and taken to hospital.

The Argus:

Fire crews have left the scene, but said the road will "remain closed for some time" while police investigate.

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Sgt Richard Hobbs from the Roads Policing Unit Tweeted to say the westbound carriageway had reopened at 7.23am.

The Argus:

There is no estimate for how long the eastbound carriageway will remain closed but the westbound carriageway has now re-opened.

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A fire service spokesman said crews from Shoreham and Worthing attended the "nasty" crash scene.

The Argus:

Traffic from Worthing to Brighton is affected.

Sussex Police said in a statement: "Police are currently at the scene of a two-vehicle collision on the A27 at Shoreham.

"A white Vauxhall Vivaro and a red Peugeot 308 collided at the crossroads with Coombes Road shortly before 5.30am on Monday (19 November).

"The Peugeot driver – a 50-year-old woman – and her passenger – an 11-year-old boy – have both been taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton with serious injuries.

"The Vauxhall driver – a 39-year-old man – has been taken to the same hospital with minor injuries.

"The eastbound carriageway is likely to remain closed until at least 11am for investigations and recovery to take place, and local diversions are in place.

"One lane of the westbound carriageway is open at this stage.

"Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dash cam footage of the incident to report it online or call 101, quoting Operation Fairmile."

Follow the latest live updates here.