A driver who escaped injury in a car crash was hit seconds later by a lorry as he stepped from his vehicle.

The 28-year-old man from Lewes suffered serious head injuries and his condition last night was said to be poorly.

Both carriageways of the A27 Brighton to Lewes road, east of Sussex University's Falmer campus, were closed for an hour.

Eastbound traffic was restricted to one lane for most of the day, causing long tailbacks.

The collision between a Mazda sports car and a Ford Mondeo happened close to Housedean Cottages at about 10am.

A police spokeswoman said: "Moments later, the driver of the Ford Mondeo emerged from his car and was hit by a passing heavy goods vehicle."

The man was taken unconscious to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton. His injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

The drivers of the other car and the Ireland-registered lorry suffered shock.

Crash investigators were at the scene most of yesterday and an investigation was underway.

One witness, a nurse, arrived at the scene just after the accident. He said: "It was horrendous.

"The lorry was 150 yards ahead and there was a car in a ditch. The lorry had a broken light and dents in the front but the car was badly smacked up.

"I was going to stop to help but there were already ten or 12 people and an ambulance there at the scene and I would have caused an obstruction with my car which could have led another crash."

The Sussex Ambulance Service received its first call from the scene at 10am. A spokeswoman said: "We were informed there had been a minor road accident involving a number of cars.

"Apparently, all the drivers got out afterwards and one man was clipped by a lorry as he did so. The man suffered head injuries and was stable at the time."

The service sent an ambulance and an ambulance car to the scene.

Witnesses or anyone with information was asked to call Polegate road police on 0845 6070999, quoting Operation Papyrus.