Driver dies in A49 crash horror

The man, who has not been named, was the driver of a car which collided with the lorry on the A49 just north of Preston Brockhurst, near Wem, at about 1.10am today.

The resulting fire was so intense about 25 firefighters were called to the scene and had to overcome water supply problems as they fought the flames.

Police said the vehicles involved were a Peugeot 307, believed to be travelling south, and a DAF lorry, believed to be travelling in the opposite direction.

The A49 was closed this morning between Battlefield in Shrewsbury and Prees Heath, near Whitchurch, to allow for recovery of the vehicles, with diversions in place for rush hour traffic.

Richard Ewels, spokesman for West Mercia Police, said: "There was one occupant of the car, a man in his 50s, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The other vehicle was a DAF lorry whose driver was uninjured.

"The coroner has been informed and a post mortem and inquest opening will be held in due course."

Steve Palin from Hodnet Fire Station, said: "When we got to the scene a saloon car and large goods vehicle were well alight.

"It took about two hours to get the fire under control. There was a water shortage due to it being in the middle of nowhere, and there were four appliances and about 25 firefighters dealing with the fire."

Fire crews from Wem, Prees, Wellington, Hodnet and Shrewsbury wore breathing apparatus and used hoses to fight the fire.

Murray MacGregor, West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman, said: "When crews arrived they found both vehicles on fire.

"Unfortunately, the driver of the car was confirmed deceased at the scene.

"The man driving the lorry was uninjured and did not require hospital treatment."

He added that an ambulance and an incident support officer were sent to the scene.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the collision or events leading up to it to call Shrewsbury police on 101.