Witness tells jury of Shifnal horror crash scene

Carl Chapman said he rushed out after hearing a "loud bang" near the home he was working on near Shifnal.

He told a jury at Shrewsbury Crown Court he saw a white Fiat embedded in a hedge and a horse in the middle of the road.

The court had earlier heard the Fiat had been driven by Armands Ozolins, who lost control on a bend on Stump Lane.

He was killed in the crash along with the horse. Horse rider Wendy Garrett was seriously injured.

Eyewitnesses say Ozolins was taking part in a "high-speed race" on rural roads with disqualified motorist Helmuts Punovskis.

Mr Ozolins, 26, of Great Chatwell near Newport, hit Mrs Garrett and her horse and sent them both flying, prosecutor Mr Hugh O'Brien Quinn said. The court heard how Mr Ozolins crashed into the grass verge and a hedge by Damson Lane and suffered severe injuries. He died in hospital the next day.

Punovskis claims he was not driving on the day of the smash. The 31-year-old, of Turreff Avenue in Donnington, is accused of one count of death by dangerous driving and another of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He denies both charges.

Mr Chapman told the court: "I heard a loud bang, and somebody came in and said there had been a serious accident. I went out.

"On half the road there was almost a river of blood running down it. There was a horse in the middle of the road, and I noticed there was a car embedded in the hedge."

Mr Chapman said when he got to the car Mr Ozolins was conscious but not speaking, and Punovskis was also in the car cradling his head and trying to take his pulse.

"He (Punovskis) seemed very shook up, he seemed in shock," Mr Chapman said. "Me and a colleague were able to take over so we pointed out the stables and suggested he go and clean himself up, as he was covered in blood."

Mr Chapman said "less than a minute" later he heard a car wheel spinning and "screeching" and looked to see Punovskis speeding off into the distance in a green Volkswagen Passat.

Punovskis was later discovered nearby at Chadwell Farm by police after Mr Chapman pointed out the car to them, the jury heard.

A woman – Liga Jaskova – with a one-month-old baby was seen sitting in the driver's seat. Punovskis claims it was Jaskova who had been driving. The trial continues.