Man, 67, dies after car overturns into garden

The accident happened off the B5476 at Coton, near Whitchurch, around 12.05pm yesterday, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.

The man who was driving the Toyota Hilux car was flown to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire where it was confirmed he had died.

A second man, in his 20s, was treated for back pain and taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

A third passenger, also a male, was assessed at the scene and discharged.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "The driver had suffered numerous injuries. He received emergency treatment and was flown to University Hospital North Staffordshire where unfortunately he was confirmed dead.

"There were two passengers in the vehicle. One of them, a man in his twenties, was treated for back pain and was fully immobilised at the scene before being taken by land ambulance to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

"The other passenger, a man, was checked over by ambulance crews and discharged at the scene."

An advanced Community Paramedic in a rapid response vehicle, a paramedic area support officer in a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance crew and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford attended.

Richard Ewels, spokesman for West Mercia Police, appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them.

He said: "The incident was reported just before 12.15pm near the Bull and Dog Inn at Coton.

"It was a one vehicle accident involving a Toyota Hilux towing a trailer with three cows in it.

"The trailer overturned onto its side into a garden.

"The driver, a man in his 60s, was seriously hurt and airlifted to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

"The passenger, in his 20s, was taken by ambulance to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

"The road was closed for some time and police are appealing for witnesses to the crash."

The road was closed in both directions between Post Office Lane and the Minor Road junction for more than three hours following the crash.

Shaun Embrey, manager of the nearby Dog and Bull Inn, said locals are wondering how the accident happened.

He said: "I saw a cow walking down the road and went to the scene of the incident.

"A gentleman in his 60s was laying down in quite severe pain, it seemed quite serious.

"The cows scattered, I don't know where they went but I think they were put in a field.

"I don't know how the incident occurred and everyone has been trying to work out how it happened, the car was in a side bush but there wasn't too much damage but the trailer was in next doors garden and was smashed up."

The Shropshire coroner Mr John Ellery has been informed and a post mortem will be held early next week. An inquest is also likely to be opened next week.

Anyone with information should call 101.