AN American tourist drove on the wrong side of the B4122 at Sutton Benger, crashing into a Rover Metro and injuring six people inside.

The accident happened just off junction 17 of the M4 at 6.50pm last on May 29 and a section of the road was closed until 9.45pm.

The 75-year-old tourist, driving a blue Mercedes C180 towards Christian Malford, careered into the silver Rover Metro, which was travelling in the opposite direction. The Metro ended up in the middle of the road, and the Mercedes crashed onto the grass verge.

PC Steve Holbrow, of Westbury Traffic Police, said eight people were injured in the smash and all were taken to Swindon's Princess Margaret Hospital. PC Holbrow said: "It appears he (the Mercedes driver) got confused with driving on the right-hand side of the road."

The American driver's 73-year-old wife suffered a suspected broken ankle and stayed at PMH overnight for treatment.

The Metro's 43-year-old driver suffered cuts and bruises and his 33-year-old wife sustained minor spinal injuries. The driver's 62-year-old mother had internal injuries and fire crews had to cut the roof off the car to get her out. The couple's three children, a nine-year-old boy, and two girls, aged 11 and eight, suffered cuts, bruises and shock.

Witnesses should call Chippenham police on (01249) 654455.