following yesterday morning's three-car collision that sent a 51-year-old man to hospital.

Mr. Tim Smith said there have been 61 road traffic accidents on Middle Road near its junction with Valley Road.

"Any resident of the area will recognise the accident place as a frequent accident spot,'' Mr. Smith said after arriving at the scene of the crash.

"I hope that one of the recommendations after the investigation is to improve that spot.'' Mr. Gary Ray was hospitalised shortly after the 7.15 a.m. crash that backed up rush hour traffic well into Warwick.

He was last night recuperating on a general ward. His shoulder had been severely injured. He had also suffered cuts to his face and body.

The accident occurred just east of the junction at Valley and Middle Roads.

Police said that a white van was travelling east on Middle Road when it suddenly veered across the road into the path of Mr. Ray's oncoming car. The force of the collision flipped his car onto its side.

The van then careened into a second car which was following Mr. Ray's vehicle.

Firemen were rushed to the scene to help Mr. Ray who was trapped by a crushed car door. But Mr. Ray was able to free himself before they arrived.

Brother Mr. Louis Ray, who was working nearby, arrived to see Mr. Ray being loaded into a hospital ambulance. He said his brother probably escaped through the windshield.

"He was a very lucky boy,'' Mr. Ray said of his brother.

Police said Mr. Ray had been cut around the face and body, His shoulder was "badly injured''. There were no other significant injuries.

At the scene, firemen disconnected the batteries of Mr. Ray's car to prevent its engine from igniting spilled gasoline.

P.c. Gary Venning said the van's bonnet, bumper and fender were damaged. The second car was dented and scratched.

Mr. Smith, who is MP for Paget West, blamed the frequent accidents on the "poor sight lines and the slope of the road that goes against the flow of traffic.'' He hoped to instigate improvements to the road in the future.

Photo: David Skinner.

TWISTED MEATAL -- Two police offficers examine the wreckage of a three car collision of Middle Road in Paget. The driver had to climb out through the windshield.