Police today appealed for witnesses to a three-vehicle collision on the A34 which resulted in three people being taken to hospital.

Officers would like to trace the driver of a white Transit-style van, possibly with green writing on the side, which drove on to the northbound carriageway at the junction with the A4, and is alleged to have caused a heavy goods vehicle to brake sharply resulting in a collision with a white Mercedes Sprinter van which was travelling behind it. The Transit-style van did not stop at the scene.

As a result of the collision, which happened at about 3.34pm on Thursday, the driver of the Sprinter van and a passenger, both men, were taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital with minor injuries. Both were released the same day.

A third man, also a passenger in the Sprinter van, was taken to the Great Western Hospital, in Swindon, with a minor head wound and serious injuries to his hands. He remains in hospital.

The A34 was closed northbound for almost two hours following the collision for a police investigation to take place.

PC Paul Waltho, of the Roads Policing Unit based at Chieveley, is appealing for witnesses to the collision to contact him via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police or leave your name, call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.