Five people have been hospitalised after a serious car crash in Roscommon.

The three adults and two children were injured when two cars collided on the Brideswell to Athlone Road at about 4am.

The driver of one of the cars - a 23 year old man - was seriously injured and brought to Tullamore Hospital.

While two adults and two children - aged two and six - who were in the other car are being treated at Portincula Hospital in Ballinasloe.

Their condition is unknown.

The road is closed until lunchtime to allow a forensic collision examination.