A mother and her son remain in a critical condition following a serious road traffic collision in Kingsdown today, while a second teenage son has been left with serious leg injuries.

The woman, had been driving her two sons to The Corsham School along an unclassified road near Kingsdown Golf Club when their silver Toyota Avensis collided with a black Range Rover shortly before 8.20am.

The serious road collision team based in Chippenham has confirmed that the condition of the woman and her 12-year-old son is critical but stable.

It is understood that the boy who is suffering from severe abdominal injuries went into theatre earlier today after the Wiltshire Air Ambulance flew him to the Royal United Hospital in Bath. He had not been breathing when paramedics first arrived at the scene.

The woman, who had been driving the Toyota, was also airlifted to the RUH with serious head injuries and taken to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol earlier today. She was unconscious throughout the rescue operation.

The air ambulance returned to the scene to take the woman, who was driving the saloon to the RUH as she had suffered serious head injuries and a potential pelvic injury. She was unconscious throughout the rescue operation.

The second boy, aged 15, was sat in the front passenger seat and suffered injuries to his stomach, as well as a fractured upper arm and femur and extensive chest injuries. He was taken to the RUH by land ambulance and is now being treated there for serious leg injuries.

The driver of the Range Rover, who sustained minor injuries after his vehicle rolled over several times, was arrested at the scene and taken to Melksham police where he is police custody helping them with their inquiries. He is a 29-year-old man from the Pewsey area.

Among the emergency crews called to the scene were three ambulance crews from the Great Western Ambulance Service, two fire engines, and the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

Ross Culligan, GWAS paramedic and clinical team leader, said: "In my ambulance service career, I have attended many serious incidents but I have never seen such injuries or devastation to a vehicle.

"I would like to extend my thanks to the golf course staff for their assistance, particularly when I first arrived on the scene - they kept open the airway of the 15 year old in the rear of the car while I treated other patients.

"And all emergency staff on scene should be commended for their professionalism and remaining knowledgeable and calm throughout was an appalling incident."

Neil Newman, manager of the golf club, said his green keeping staff were first on the scene of the accident.

"They heard and saw cars going into the hedge near the 18th hole," he said. "They rang the emergency services.

"I drove past about two minutes afterwards. As I got to the golf club, I heard sirens. I went over to the scene but there wasn't a lot I could do as the paramedics were already on site."