Man killed in A49 road crash

A man died and two other men were injured after a van careered off the A49 in Shropshire and crashed today.

Police said the man died at the scene of the accident between Church Stretton and All Stretton. The A49 was closed in both directions.

The van is believed to have left the road before hitting a wall or a hedge shortly after 10.30am. No other vehicle was involved.

Two other men were cut free from the wreckage and taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. No details of their injuries are yet known.

The road was closed to all traffic between the traffic lights at Church Stretton and the All Stretton turn while emergency services worked at the scene.

Police have issued an urgent appeal for witnesses who may have seen the van being driven in the moments before the accident.

Richard Ewels, spokesman for West Mercia Police, said: "The van is believed to have left the road and struck a wall or hedge. No other vehicle was involved.

"Police are conducting a full investigation into the circumstances and have appealed for witnesses with any information or may have seen the incident to come forward."

John Hawker, spokesman for West Midlands Air Ambulance, said a rapid response vehicle, two officers, two land ambulances and two air ambulances had attended the scene.