A DRIVER suffered 'critical injuries' following a two-car crash on the A590 on Monday evening.

The incident, involving a Seat Ibiza and a Mercedes, took place at around 5.55pm near Newby Bridge and saw the road closed until just after midnight.

The road was closed in both directions between A5092 Greenodd and the A592 Newby Bridge.

A North West Air Ambulance Service spokesman confirmed that one of their teams was also deployed to deal with the incident.

A spokesperson from Cumbria Fire provided an update on the situation after the police confirmed that both drivers had been taken to hospital.

They said: "At 5.57pm on July 22, two fire engines from Grange and Ulverston attended an incident in Backbarrow.

"One casualty [the driver of the Seat] was released from the vehicle with critical injuries by fire personnel, and the casualty was transported by air ambulance to Royal Preston Hospital.

"A secondary casualty [the driver of the Mercedes] has been transported by road ambulance to Furness Hospital."

Cumbria Fire and Rescue also added that, in order to free both people, holmatro equipment was used.

These hydraulic tools allow first responders to more easily cut through the body of a vehicle, providing them with greater access to any casualties inside.

Fire crews were said to be on the scene for a total of one hour and 25 minutes.