Driver killed in crash on bypass

One man has been killed and another hurt after a three-vehicle crash near Welshpool.The driver of a 4x4 was certified dead at the scene of the collision after his vehicle and a lorry plunged down a steep embankment beside the A483 Welshpool bypass.

And a 77-year-old man had to be cut free from his car by firefighters before being taken to hospital suffering from rib injuries.

The accident happened close to Welshpool Station roundabout at about 11.25am yesterday and involved the car, the 4x4 and a lorry carrying steel coils.

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesman said: "There was one fatality at the scene, a man whose 4x4 was in a ravine off the side of the road.

"We despatched two ambulances, the air ambulance and a doctor, who certified the man dead at the scene.

"Another man aged 77 was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital with rib injuries."

A Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said crews were called by police to reports of people trapped in the wreckage.

"One car and an articulated lorry had left the road and gone down an embankment," he said.

"Two crews from Welshpool and the emergency tender from Newtown used hydraulic rescue equipment to release one person and we then helped a heavy lifting contractor retrieve the vehicles."

He added that the road was closed and crews were in attendance, helping make the road safe, until almost 11pm.

"The lorry had been carrying steel coils which came off and had to be recovered and we had to make the area safe afterwards," he said.

The dead man has not yet been identified.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokeswoman said: "Formal identification of the deceased was due to take place today. The coroner has been informed.

"The incident involved a lorry and two cars, on the Welshpool bypass. The road was closed between the two roundabouts, Station roundabout and Sarn y Bryn Caled roundabout, near Forden. The ambulance and fire services attended."

By Mike Sivier