Pedestrian seriously injured in 'collision with lorry' on A53 in early hours

Emergency services were called to the A53 near Shawbury at around 4.15am after receiving reports of a collision involving a lorry and a pedestrian in his 30s.

West Mercia Police said road closures were put in place at Bings Heath and Shawbury and asked drivers to find alternative routes.

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "One ambulance, a paramedic officer, a MERIT trauma doctor with a Critical Care Paramedic and the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car attended the scene. On arrival we discovered one patient, a man, who was the pedestrian. He was found to have suffered serious injuries in the incident and received specialist trauma care at the scene before being taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital."

Appealing for witnesses, a police spokesperson said: "We are appealing for witnesses following a collision which took place this morning (Wednesday 21 February) on the A53 in Shawbury, Shropshire.

"The collision happened at around 4.10am involving a lorry and a pedestrian. The pedestrian, a man in his 30s, was taken to hospital with life threatening injuries.

"Anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or has dashcam footage, is urged to contact PC Ashley Ford by emailing Ashley.ford@westmercia.police.uk or by calling 01952214695 quoting incident 33i of the 21 February 2024.

"Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously with the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org."

Arriva said the closure meant its buses were diverted.

In a post on social media, the operator said: "Due to an accident on the A53 before Shawbury service 64 will be diverting via Hadnall and Morten Corbet we will be unable to serve stops A53, Dog in the lane, Poynton Junction, Shawbury, White lodge farm shop Stop & The elephant and Castle in both directions."

Elsewhere, a stretch of the M54 was temporarily closed after a single vehicle crash at around 6am.

West Mercia Police said: "Westbound carriageway Junction 4 to 5 road closure in place. We are dealing with a one vehicle collision which is stranded in a live lane."

By 8am the route was open again.

West Midlands Ambulance Service did not attend the M54 incident.