Man dies after ambulance and car collision

One man has died following a collision between a car and an ambulance in Shropshire.

The incident happened on the A458 close to Cross Houses, near Shrewsbury, at about 11am today.

The man, who was driving a Nissa Micra, was pronounced dead at the scene. He is believed to be in his 50s and from the Shrewsbury area, West Mercia Police said.

West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed the ambulance was transporting a woman in a medical case to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Chris Kowalik, a spokesman for the service, said the ambulance was "driving under normal road conditions and without the need for blue lights and sirens".

The patient being transported to hospital in the ambulance was shaken but otherwise unaffected further by the collision and her journey to the Royal Shrewsbury continued in another ambulance, he said.

Two members of staff who were in the ambulance involved in the collision were also taken to the Royal Shrewsbury.

Richard Topping, senior divisional commander for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said an internatal investigation had been launched by the organisation and it was co-operating with West Mercia Police.

"Our thoughts are with the families of all those involved in this tragic crash," he said.

The road was closed in both directions following the incident.

For the full story see Monday's Shropshire Star