Three people have been taken to hospital after a four vehicle smash on Canal Road today.

The collision happened at about 10.30am.

Eye witnesses said a small car pulled out of the slip road down from Station Road and was in collision with a heavy goods vehicle which sent the Renault Clio spinning across the road into a parked-up car transporter.

At that point, onlookers say a Toyota Yaris also heading to the city centre became involved in the collision.

A passing ambulance was the first emergency vehicle at the scene followed by three fire engines, police and a fleet of other ambulances and fast response cars.

Witnesses from the Polar Ford Garage and other drivers had gone to give help to the couple trapped in the Clio.

Firefighters had to cut the roof off the Clio, which had ended up on its side pinned against the transporter, to get the woman passenger out.

The accident has caused long tailbacks and police are diverting traffic.