Accident closes Gascoyne Way for 8 hours

A serious accident at the Hale Road roundabout in Hertford closed the A414 Gascoyne Way for 8 hours on Sunday.

The westbound carriageway was closed between the Bluecoats roundabout and Cross Lane roundabout, whilst the eastbound carriageway was closed between Cross Lane and the Hale Road roundabout.

The accident occurred around 2pm and involved a white Mercedes and a grey Hyundai.

Local reports say an air ambulance landed at Richard Hale School.

The white Mercedes was first in a collision with a silver BMW on the A119 Ware Road, before continuing on the A414 where it collided with the grey Hyundai at the Hale Road roundabout.

The Mercedes then left the carriageway, striking metal railings and a tree before coming to a stop. The driver, a man aged in his 50s, was taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition where he remains at this time.

The passenger suffered serious injuries, but they are not thought to be life threatening.

The drivers of the other vehicles were not seriously injured.

Sergeant Mark Casey, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit, said: "We’re continuing to make enquiries around the incident and would appeal for any witnesses to please come forward. Did you see either of the collisions, or the vehicles travelling in the area prior to them?

"We're particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have captured dash cam footage. If you have one fitted and were travelling in the area around the time, please review any footage and contact us if you have captured something which may assist. Thank you."

Anyone with information is asked to please contact PC Zach Flint via email.

The road closure led to many drivers trying to use the town centre as an alternative westbound route, with some finding their way to The Folly, including a 724 bus that was briefly stuck at the end of Bull Plain. A number of passers-by assisted the driver in turning around. Other drivers were using Maidenhead Street to get to The Wash and then turning left, only to find themelves diverted on to the eastbound carraigeway of Gascoyne Way and back to the Bluecoats roundabout.

The road is believed to have reopened around 10pm. 

Updated 26/9/22 to include details of collison with BMW on the A119, condition of vehicle occupants, and police appeal.