A MINIBUS crashed as it carried half-a-dozen prisoners from Bristol to Channings Wood Prison, Denbury, on Wednesday.

It was travelling towards Newton Abbot on the A38 just before the Splatford Split, Kennford, shortly after noon, when it smashed into the central reservation crash barrier.

The driver, from Bristol, who was seriously injured, is thought to have fallen ill moments before the crash, in which the minibus was the only vehicle involved.

He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

Two prisoners were also taken to hospital for treatment, though were not thought to be seriously injured.

The driver's colleague and the other four prisoners were unhurt.

The prisoners were transferred to another vehicle and continued their journey.

A police spokesman said none of the prisoners had tried to escape.

The offside lane of the dual-carriageway was closed while police checked the scene and emergency services cleared debris.