A5 crash: Man dies and several injured as police make arrest on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving

The crash took place shortly after 7am today (January 13), on the A5 westbound, heading towards Shrewsbury.

West Mercia Police said a man had been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving in the aftermath of the incident.

Reports from the Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said the crash had involved a number of cars and a lorry.

It has now been confirmed that one man, who was in his 30s, died in the crash, with four other people injured.

A spokeswoman for the West Midlands Ambulance Service said crews had been called at 7.10am to reports of a collision involving several cars and a lorry on the A5 at Upton Magna, east of Shrewsbury. 

Three ambulances, two paramedic officers and a critical care car from Midlands Air Ambulance Charity responded to the scene.

The spokeswoman said: “When ambulance crews arrived on the A5 they found bystanders and fire colleagues administering CPR to a passenger from one car.

“The team of ambulance staff quickly commenced advanced life support on the man but sadly he couldn’t be saved and was confirmed dead a short time later.

“A second man, a passenger, from the same car was treated for non-life-threatening injuries before being conveyed to Royal Stoke University Hospital. The driver and a third passenger from the same car were assessed for minor injuries before being taken to Princess Royal Hospital as a precaution.

“The driver of a second car, a man, suffered potentially serious injuries in the collision and he received treatment by ambulance staff before they conveyed him to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for onward care.”

Full West Mercia Police statement on A5 crash near Shrewsbury

A spokesman for West Mercia Police confirmed that a man had been arrested.

He said: "We received a call around 7am this morning with a report of a collision on the A5 in Upton Magna, Shrewsbury.

"Officers arrived to find one lorry and four cars involved.

"Despite the best efforts by emergency workers a man in his 30s was pronounced deceased at the scene.

"One man was taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital with serious injuries.

"The driver of another car involved in the collision was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital with serious injuries.

"A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving."

A5 to stay shut for several hours

Meanwhile National Highways has said the road will remain closed for a number of hours. Drivers are advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes.

A spokeswoman said that officers were turning traffic around at the back of the queue on the westbound stretch of the A5 - but that the tailback is about two miles long.

She said: "The incident, involving five vehicles, happened at around 7.17am this morning and West Mercia Police are carrying out collision investigations at the scene.

"They have advised the road is likely to remain closed until approximately 5pm today and are turning traffic round at the back of the queue, which is approximately two miles long."

The spokeswoman added that once police investigations of the scene are concluded, its own officers will need to assess damage to the barriers and road before it is able to re-open.