TWO Devon County Council contractors remain in hospital in critical and serious conditions after they were injured in a collision with a van while working on a dual carriageway in Tiverton.

The men, aged 48 and 40 and both from Tiverton, were airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth following the incident on the A361 around 11am on Tuesday.

The 48-year-old remains in Derriford Hospital in a critical condition, while the 40-year-old is in a serious condition in the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.

The van driver, a 43-year-old man from Tideford, near Saltash, Cornwall, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of dangerous driving and later released on bail until May 20.

Both contractors were carrying out repairs in a closed lane for South West Highways on behalf of Devon County Council.

It is understood the van was travelling in an open lane when the collision occurred. Another 22-year-old worker, also from Tiverton, suffered minor injuries that did not require hospital treatment, while a fourth man was treated for shock at the scene.

The road was closed for around six hours following the incident. A Devon County Council spokesman said: "We have been notified of an incident on the A361 involving two members of staff from Devon County Council's highway maintenance contractor SWH, who were working on a closed lane of the highway. We are awaiting further details but our thoughts are with the staff and their families at this time."

Ben Pyle, managing director of South West Highways, added: “Everyone at SWH is distressed about the incident and our thoughts are with our colleagues and their families.”

Any witnesses to the incident are asked to call Devon and Cornwall police on 101 quoting log number 208 290113.