Shropshire Star

Motorcyclist killed in crash with lorry on A49 near Ludlow

[gallery] A  motorcyclist died in an horrific crash in Shropshire when it collided with a lorry that burst into flames.

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The biker, a man believed to be in his 60s and from Mid Wales, was confirmed dead at the scene following the smash that left the A49 Bromfield Road, near Ludlow, closed until early today.

The smash happened in Bromfield Road shortly before 2.30pm yesterday.

The Aprilla ETV motorcycle was travelling north from Ludlow towards Bromfield and the Volvo lorry in the opposite direction. Both vehicles caught fire after the collision.

Heavy traffic built up between Rocks Green Roundabout and the B4361 Bromfield Road junction as emergency services worked at the scene and also because of a spillage of diesel on the road.

Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford with a trauma doctor on board were scrambled to the scene, along with police and firefighters from Ludlow, Craven Arms, Leintwardine, Wellington.

Claire Brown, a spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "Crews arrived to find a motorcycle and a HGV that had been in a serious collision.

"Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save the motorcyclist and they were confirmed dead at the scene."

Henry Carpenter was one of the motorists caught up in the delays as the road was closed following the crash.

He said: "The traffic quickly built up and there were lots of cars turning round. No-one seemed to quite know what was going on. All of the traffic was diverted through the tiny village of Stanton Lacy, which very quickly became gridlocked in both directions. It was chaos."

West Mercia Police spokesman Richard Ewels said: "We were called to a serious collision on the A49 at Bromfield, Ludlow, and it happened at about 2.30pm.

"It was involving a motorcycle and a lorry.

"All three emergency services were present and the A49 was closed in both directions. "

Highways Agency spokeswoman Katy Thompson said the A49 was finally reopened at 4.33am today.

Police have appealed for witnesses. A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "We are continuing to investigate the circumstances leading up to this tragedy and urging anyone who can assist to contact Ludlow or Shrewsbury police stations by calling 101."

A post mortem will take place tomorrow and Shropshire coroner John Ellery will open an inquest in due course.

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