Accident kills motorcyclist on A495

A motorcyclist died after colliding with a car on a notorious stretch of north Shropshire road.

The collision happened on the A495 between Hardwick and Ellesmere. Inspector Martin Barnes, of West Mercia Police, said the male motorcyclist, who is believed to be 36, was airlifted to hospital in Birmingham but medics, who had been alerted to his arrival, were unable to save him.

The crash, which happened on Saturday night, involved the motorbike and a saloon car. Nobody in the car was injured.

Mr Barnes said: "There was a fatal road traffic collision at 6.11pm on Saturday on the A495 at Hardwick.

"Two vehicles were involved, a saloon car and a motorcycle.

"The rider of the motorcycle was taken to hospital after being transferred by air ambulance.

"Police would appeal for anybody who was travelling on the A495 at the stated time and witnessed the collision to call 0300 333 3000."

Suzie Fothergill, spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance, Service said the motorcyclist had suffered serious injuries in the crash.

She said: "We were called at about 6.05pm on Saturday to the A495.

"We sent a senior officer, an ambulance and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford to the scene.

"We treated a motorcyclist who had been seriously injured.

"The man was treated for serious multiple injuries to his legs and arms and he also had a suspected pelvic injury.

"He was airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital. The hospital was pre-alerted to the man's arrival and the seriousness of his injuries," she added.

The road was closed for several hours following the collision on Saturday and traffic had to be diverted via Tetchill.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that the A495, between Ellesmere and Whittington, had claimed the lives of five people in three collisions over the last five years.