A driver was seriously ill in hospital last night after his van flipped over in a

pile-up.

Two other vehicles collided as they tried to avoid the overturned Ford Transit on the eastbound carriageway of the A27 between the Shoreham flyover and the Holmbush turning.

The drivers escaped injury.

The injured man, from Shoreham, had been trying to avoid a broken down HGV when the accident happened at 5.22am.

Medical staff at Worthing Hospital last night said he was in a stable condition but still seriously ill.

The road was closed for several hours yesterday while police and the Vehicle Inspectorate examined the scene.

The Argus reported yesterday how an umpire travelling to the biggest day in Sussex's cricket history was delayed because of the crash.

Mervyn Kitchen, due at the county side's crunch clash with Leicestershire in Hove, got stuck in a three-mile tailback.

Former Sussex batsman Les Lenham stepped in to replace Mr Kitchen as square-leg umpire until his arrival shortly after 11am.