The front of a car was badly damaged in a serious three-vehicle crash on the A41 this morning.

Police were called at around 7.38am to reports of the collision on the North Western Avenue stretch near Bushey.

The road is shut both ways between Sandy Lane and the Elstree roundabout, with additional road closures at the junctions of Sandy Lane, Dagger Lane and Hillfield Lane South.

Four fire engines and the ambulance service are also at the scene.

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A driver, who did not see the crash but claims to have witnessed the aftermath, reported what appeared to be a "head-on" collision south of the Sandy Lane junction that left the front of one car badly damaged.

They said it also looked like it involved a third car crashing into the back of another.

He believed the crash involved two silver cars, one possibly being a Mercedes, and a dark car.

Emergency services have been asked for clarification on whether it was a head-on collision. Updates to follow.

A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service said: "We were called at 7.42am with reports of a collision on the A41, Bushey.

"We sent the Hazardous Area Response Team, two ambulances, an ambulance officer vehicle and two rapid response vehicles."

Police have urged motorists to avoid the area and use an alternative route. The incident is causing knock-on delays in Bushey Heath and Elstree.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.