UPDATE: Four people taken to hospital by air ambulance after four car crash on A472 in Pontypool

THE two casualties airlifted to hospital following the A472 crash yesterday are in a stable condition, police have said.

Gwent Police today revealed the two casualties, a 65-year-old woman and a man (whose age is unknown) who were travelling in the Vauxhall Astra.

UPDATE: 3.40pm
Tuesday June 16

THE air ambulance has been called after a 'serious accident' involving four cars on the A472 in Pontypool.

The main Hafodrynys road has been closed between the A4043 Pontypool and B4471 Swffryd junctions with the air ambulance on the road.

Traffic is queuing in both directions between the Pontypool roundabout and Hafod-Ys-Ynys Inn, Crumlin in Swffryd.

Police are directing traffic with a diversion in place via the Old Crumlin Road.

A South Wales Ambulance spokesman said: "We were called at 1.48pm to a multi-vehicle road traffic collision on the A472 near Pontypool.

"We sent two rapid response cars, three emergency ambulances and a Wales Air Ambulance to the scene.

"Four people have been taken to hospital; one by helicopter to the University Hospital and Wales, two by land ambulance to the Royal Gwent Hospital and one by land ambulance to Nevill Hall Hospital."

A spokesman from Gwent Police said: "We were called at 1.45pm this afternoon to the report of a four vehicle road traffic collision on the A472 between Pontypool and Hafodrynys.

"The vehicles involved were a red Seat Ibiza, silver Vauxhall Astra, white Nissan Leaf Tekna and a red Hyundai i10.

"The Ambulance Service and Helimed attended and two casualties were taken to hospital. We are currently awaiting further information regarding their conditions.

"The Hafodrynys Road is currently closed in both directions. Please avoid the area/ find an alternate route."