One dead and seven hurt in smash

A motorist was killed and seven people injured when a bus and car collided on a Shropshire road.

The drivers of both vehicles had to be cut free following the collision in Bayston Hill, near Shrewsbury, but ambulance crews were unable to save car driver Daniel Richards.

They found 25-year-old Mr Richards trapped in his car with multiple serious injuries following the smash in Pulley Lane on Saturday afternoon. He died at the scene.

Doctors at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital were put on standby because of the number of casualties, with the bus driver, believed to be in his 30s, treated for head, leg and rib injuries. Six passengers were also treated for various minor injuries.

Four ambulances, an incident support officer, a senior paramedic and the County Air Ambulance with a doctor on board were sent to the scene along with police, two fire engines, the incident commander from Shrewsbury and the rescue tender from Wellington.

Relatives and friends of Mr Richards have spoken of their shock and flowers have been laid at the side of the road.

His mother, Juta Moloney, of Meole Village, Shrewsbury, said she could not take in what had happened. She said her son had grown up in Bayston Hill.

His girlfriend Charlotte Bowyer, of Bayston Hill, said: “Everyone is just in shock. I’d known him for more than 10 years.”

She said Mr Richards had gone out to buy petrol and they had been planning to travel to Cardiff. His brother, Mark Richards, also visited the scene.

Friends said he lived in Copthorne and had worked for a company in Wem.

Police said the car, a yellow Renault Megane, had been travelling from Meole Brace towards Bayston Hill. The single decker Arriva Midlands bus was travelling in the opposite direction.

Keith Myatt, a spokesman for Arriva, said a full investigation was under way.

He said: “Our sympathies go to the family and friends of the driver of the car who died in the collision.”

Police spokesman Richard Ewels said anyone who saw the collision or either vehicle beforehand should call 08457 444888.

Use the comments box below to pay your tributes to Daniel Richards

By Lizzie Yates