Casualty suffers possible spinal injuries after van and tractor collide on A46 near Melton

The south-bound carriageway has been closed to traffic following the incident, which took place near the turning to Seagrave, at 3.10pm.

Fire crews from Birstall and Leicester’s Western station attended the scene, along with a technical rescue team from the Southern station.

A spokesperson from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: “This was a road traffic collision involving a van, which had suffered a substantial side impact.

“A male was found to be suffering chest pains and possible spine injuries.

“Fire service personnel administered first aid to the casualty and made the vehicles safe.”

The casualty was taken by East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) to Queen’s Medical Centre, in Nottingham, with what are described by Leicestershire Police as injuries which are not life-threatening.

Police say the southbound carriageway was initially blocked because of debris and fluid on the surface and it was then closed by officers to through traffic. Police said at 5pm they expected to be able to reopen the road shortly.