A MAN had to be cut from a Citroen Berlingo van following a three vehicle road traffic collision on the A719 near Tarbolton.

The 60-year-old was taken to Ayr Hospital on Tuesday, May 10 for suspected spinal injuries after he was removed through a hole in the roof which was carved by on scene fire and rescue.

Two people managed to free themselves from the other vehicles involved - a Vauxhall Corsa and a Peugeot Bipper Van - suffering a range of injuries from shock to head lacerations.

The accident happened at 5.15pm on Tuesday evening.

Local Station Manager Derek Davidson said: "I must reiterate to drivers to slow down, drive to suit the road conditions and their abilities and fully focus on the risks and hazards that exist.

"On arrival the Incident Commander found that two people had already exited vehicles involved.

"There was however one adult male still trapped within one of the light commercial vehicles and as such the crews on scene had to extricate him from the wreckage utilising hydraulic cutting equipment.

"This is the second serious road traffic collision on that stretch of road within the past two weeks and unfortunately the previous incident claimed the lives of two people."

The 60-year-old has been charged by police for careless driving. A report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal.