A taxi driver and two police officers were taken to hospital this morning after a three car smash.

A Sussex Police patrol car was left badly damaged following the collision, which happened as the officers were responding to a 999 call.

The marked vehicle collided with a white and green Brighton and Hove taxi at the junction of Portland Road and Rutland Road in Hove shortly after 8am.

The two both shunted into a white van as it was pulling out of Rutland Road, leaving the taxi sandwiched between the other two vehicles.

Dozens of shocked passers-by discovered the scene as they made their way to work along busy Portland Road.

The taxi driver and police officers all suffered minor injuries and were taken by ambulance to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. The van driver was uninjured.

advertisementA Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "The cause of the collision is being investigated."

They said it was unlikely the accident would be reported to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Did you see the crash? Call us on 01273 544548 or post your comment below.

http://www.arguslite.co.uk/display.var.2328571.0.police_car_in_three_way_smash.php