An 81-year-old Shropshire pensioner died today after he was hit by a car as he crossed a busy road near Newport.

The man was carrying his belongings from a friend’s house to his car and touring caravan parked on the opposite site of the road when he was struck.

The accident happened on the A41 at Woodcote shortly after 3am. The victim has not yet been named.

The man, from Cressage, near Shrewsbury, was taken to Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital with multiple injuries but efforts by paramedics to save him failed.

He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

His family have been informed of his death by police but were too upset to speak this afternoon.

The driver of the Peugeot 206 involved in the accident was unhurt but was left shocked by the crash.

Informed

Investigators closed the road for four hours while they tried to find out what happened to the man.

Constable Alan Mootham, of Telford police said: “The next of kin of the victim from this morning’s fatal crash on the A41 have now been informed and other friends and close family are still being notified.

“The crash involved an 81-year-old man who was knocked down as he was crossing the A41 at Woodcote.

“He was going off early on his holidays with his car and caravan which he had parked safely at the side of the road.

“He was going from one side of the road to the other taking property to his caravan from his friend’s house.

“He was hit by an on-going car. A lone male driver of the vehicle has helped police with inquiries. He was obviously left traumatised by the incident.”

The pensioner was making an early start for his journey to the south coast.

The West Midlands Ambulance service sent an ambulance and an Incident Support Officer to the scene.

Ambulance service spokesman John Hawker said: “The man had suffered multiple serious injuries.

“He was transferred to Princess Royal Hospital by ambulance but unfortunately, despite the best efforts of ambulance crews and hospital staff to save the man, he was confirmed dead shortly after arrival.”

The coroner has been informed of the man’s death.

By Kirsty Smallman