A man was taken to hospital with serious head injuries after the car he was travelling in crashed into a tree in Shrewsbury.

The car’s driver was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and possession of controlled drugs.

The incident, involving a red Ford Fiesta, happened just after midnight on Thursday by the boxing club in Smithfield Road.

Two ambulances attended and the passenger, said to be in his 20s, was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

The driver was not injured and has been interviewed and released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Constable Chris Willett today appealed for anyone who witnessed the smash or saw the vehicle being driven immediately beforehand to contact police.

He said: “The car was travelling from the Welsh Bridge end towards Chester Street. The road was blocked for a number of hours and reopened at about 3am.

“If anyone has information which could assist our investigation, I would ask them to please call me on 08457 444888.”

Meanwhile, a man was cut free from his van after it overturned on a north Shropshire road.

The A495 was closed in both directions at Bronington for more than an hour while emergency services dealt with the incident.

Leading Firefighter Graham Field, from Whitchurch fire station, said they had cut the roof of the car off to free the man, who was taken to hospital.