THREE people have been taken to hospital following a severe road crash in Irvine.

The two-car smash on the A736 at Torranyard happened at around 6.40 am this morning.

Five emergency crews, including three ambulances, a medical helicopter and a special operations team, rushed to the rural site near Kilwinning.

Members of the special operations team worked to free travellers who were trapped inside the vehicles.

Two people were taken by ambulance to Crosshouse hospital, while a third person was removed by the Helimed air ambulance.