A man died and eight people were injured � one seriously � after a car collided head-on with a minibus. Two elderly casualties in the car had to be cut free from the wreckage following the crash on the A75 near Gretna.

A man died and eight people were injured - one seriously - after a car collided head-on with a minibus.

Two elderly casualties in the car had to be cut free from the wreckage following the crash on the A75 near Gretna.

The man and woman were airlifted to hospital in Dumfries, where the man later died. The woman was seriously injured.

Seven other people in the minibus were also taken to hospital with minor injuries.

The accident, involving a Toyota Previa and Rover, happened at around 2.25pm, police said.

Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Service said the two elderly people were cut free from their vehicle. Six of the seven people in the minibus also had to be released by fire crews.

Those in the minibus were last night being treated at the Cumberland Infirmary in Cumbria. The accident caused lengthy tailbacks, and the A75 was closed to traffic while accident investigators examined the scene. Police last night appealed for witnesses.