Driver killed as tree hits car in high winds
Friday 4th February 2011, 11:41AM GMT.
A driver was killed on a rural road on the Shropshire border when his car was struck by a tree uprooted by high winds. The road was closed for more than five hours.
The 51-year-old man, who has not yet been named, was driving a Mercedes Vaneo on the A458 Bridgnorth Road near Stourton, south Staffordshire, at about 11.30 last night.
A police spokesman said: “In high winds, a tree on the grass verge had been uprooted and fallen across the carriageway, colliding with the vehicle. The driver received fatal injuries.”
West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman Claire Thomas said the road was closed for about five-and-a-half hours.
Gale force winds buffeted Shropshire, bringing a tree down on the A442 near the Swan Inn at Knowle Sands, near Bridgnorth.
West Mercia Police spokesman Richard Ewels said officers were alerted to the tree, which was blocking the road, at about 6am.
He said officer managed to clear the road quickly to ensure no delays to traffic.
Farmers on the Shropshire border are being warned to move their livestock off low lying areas because of flooding fears.
The alert has been issued by the Environment Agency for the Vyrnwy catchment and Upper Severn area in Powys and includes Maesbury, Melverley and Four Crosses.
Forecasters today predicted there would be no let-up to the wet and windy weather with gusts expected to reach speeds of up to 25mph this afternoon.
It is likely to remain windy tomorrow morning but calm down by the afternoon. A wet and windy day is forecast for Sunday.
Gale-force winds also caused damage and disruption across Scotland.
Most Commented
- Clampdown on Shrewsbury chuggers
- Bishop's gay marriage views do nothing to support bible teachings
- Planners ordered to stay on Newport visit bus
- Letter: Angered by close encounter of the furred kind
- Letter: Alcohol price plans annoy me
- Shrewsbury’s broadband speed one of slowest in UK
- Letter: No sense in overseas job adverts
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
