Moped man who died in smash with lorry named

A Shropshire man who died after his moped was involved in a smash with an articulated lorry was today named locally as Edward Blakemore.

Mr Blakemore, 60, from Whitchurch, died at the scene of the crash on the A41 at No Mans Heath, near Malpas, on Friday.

Despite their best efforts, paramedics and firefighters could not resuscitate Mr Blakemore and he was pronounced dead shortly after the smash, which happened at about 10.20am.

Motorists faced hours of delays after police shut the road in both directions between Hampton Heath and Grindley Brook until the early afternoon.

A Cheshire Police spokeswoman said: "Just after 10.22am on Friday police and other emergency services were informed of a serious road traffic collision on the A41 near No Mans Heath. A blue Peugeot moped was in collision with a Scania HGV.

"Sadly the driver of the moped, who was a 60-year-old man from the Whitchurch area, died at the scene as a result of his injuries.

"The driver of the HGV, who was a 46-year-old man from Flintshire, was not injured as a result of the incident."

She added that witnesses to the crash or anyone who can assist police should call investigating officers at Chester police on 0845 4580000.

Firefighters from Shropshire were among the first on the scene.

Mike Beach, watch manager at Whitchurch fire station, said: "It appears the lorry had pulled up at the side of the road to check directions and a good portion of it was still in the road.

"It appears the driver of the motor scooter drove into the back of the lorry."