TWO people were taken to hospital after police closed the A38 and used a stinger device to stop a car following a report that the driver was allegedly attacking a female passenger.

Officers halted the Nissan Primera near Trerulefoot just after 3pm, and the car was in collision with another vehicle.

A 48-year-old man, who was arrested at the scene, and a woman were taken to Derriford Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Police said that yesterday they received reports from members of the public that an elderly woman travelling as a passenger in a Nissan Primera was being assaulted by the car’s driver.

Police units were despatched and intercepted the vehicle at approximately 2.47pm. The car failed to stop when requested to do so by police.

Officers did not pursue the car as there were concerns that in doing so could risk the safety of the elderly woman on board.

Other officers were dispatched ahead of the vehicle to suitable locations in order to deploy a stinger to stop the car and bring the incident to a safe conclusion.

At 3.02pm the stinger was successfully deployed on the A38, Plymouth-bound at Trerulefoot roundabout.

The car continued along the A38 towards Plymouth for approximately 600 metres, with both its offside tyres deflated, where it collided with a white Land Rover Defender which was stationary in traffic coming in the opposite direction.

Officers arrived at the scene immediately after the collision and detained the man and gave first aid to the elderly lady, believed to be aged in her seventies.

The A38 was closed in both directions with the assistance of the Highways Agency so emergency services could treat the injured at the scene and manage the recovery of the damaged vehicles.

The A38 was re-opened at 6pm.

Both occupants of the Nissan Primera were taken to Derriford Hospital at Plymouth for treatment.

The sole occupant of the Land Rover was treated by paramedics at the scene.

The male driver, aged 48 from the Nottingham area, was arrested at the scene for assault and dangerous driving and was taken to Charles Cross police station. He remains in police custody at this time.

Police are asking for any witnesses who saw an aqua marine coloured Nissan Primera registration in the Bodmin area, to contact them on 101 and quote log number 365 of 09/02/12.

Commuters faced extra problems crossing the Tamar because one of the three Torpoint Ferries was out of action due to technical problems.

Police were last night waiting to question the man and the woman in hospital.

The force is appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information should call 0845 777444, quoting log number 365.