Motorcyclist dies and two injured

A motorcyclist has died following a crash close to the north Shropshire border.

An elderly couple were also injured in the crash on the A525 Whitchurch to Wrexham road.

The motorcyclist, who has not been named, was confirmed dead at the scene of the crash, near Eglwys Cross.

The elderly man, who was driving the car, was cut free by firefighters and airlifted to the Wrexham Maelor Hospital with chest and pelvic injuries. His wife was taken to the same hospital by ambulance with minor injuries.

Leading firefighter Graham Field, from Whitchurch fire station, said the couple had been in a silver Ford Fiesta heading towards Whitchurch, while the Kawasaki motorbike had been heading away from the town when they collided.

Mr Field said firefighters from Whitchurch and Wrexham had attended the site of the crash and spent about an hour on the scene.

"We had to cut the male driver out of the Fiesta," he said. "The road was closed both ways for a long time."

North Wales Police have appealed for any witnesses.

A spokesman said: "At about 3.30pm yesterday, a road traffic collision occurred on the A525, near to Hanmer. As a result a rider of a motorcycle involved in the collision sustained fatal injuries."

Two ambulances, two rapid response vehicles, an incident support officer and the County Air Ambulance from Staffordshire were sent to the scene.

The Welsh Ambulance Service also sent resources.

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman Murray MacGregor said the motorcyclist was confirmed dead at the scene by the doctor on the helicopter.