A WOMAN suffered serious injuries and had to be cut from a car following a crash near Faringdon. 

Two cars crashed on the B4508 Fernham Road, close to the village of Shellingford, at about 6pm yesterday.

Firefighters had to remove the roof and doors from one of the cars to free a trapped woman.

The road was cordoned off while emergency services tried to get her out, with police, paramedics and fire crews working together.

She was treated at the scene and taken to hospital by South Central Ambulance Service.

Emergency services did not give information about the injuries but Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they were 'serious'.

Watch manager Lee Swain from Abingdon fire station said: “Our crews worked really well with all our partner agencies in order to try and gain the best outcome for this incident."

The fire service urged people to be careful on icy roads, stressing it ice creates 'one of the most hazardous driving conditions'.

Crews from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service attended at least two other serious crashes yesterday - one on the A40 and another on the M40.

  • The organisation has issued the following advice about driving during winter:

Clear windows

Make sure all windows and mirrors are completely clear before you set off.

Use an ice scraper or de-icer.

Never use hot water as this can cause damage the temperature difference could crack or deform your windscreen.

Clear front and rear lights, door mirrors, number plates, and if you have them fitted, your front and rear parking cameras.

Make sure all windows are demisted and not just a small area.

It is also worth checking that the windscreen wipers aren’t stuck to the screen. If they are you can rip off the rubber blades when you turn them on.

Leave plenty of braking room

If the car in front suddenly has to stop will you have time to react?

It can take 10 times longer to stop in icy conditions than on a dry road.

Drive slowly, allowing extra room to slow down and stop.

A good tip is to be around 20 seconds behind the car in front. Check  you are far enough away:

- Watch for the car in front to pass an object, for example a sign or lamp post.

- Count how many seconds go by before you pass the same object.

- If it is less than 20 seconds slow down and leave extra space.

Driving in icy conditions

Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin.

Manoeuvre gently, avoiding harsh braking and acceleration.

To brake on ice or snow without locking your wheels, get into a low gear earlier than normal, allow your speed to fall and use the brake pedal gently.

If you start to skid, ease off the accelerator, but do not brake suddenly.