Collision tragedy rider is named

A motorcyclist who died five days after a crash near Bridgnorth was today named as firefighter Gary Nock.

Mr Nock died in the early hours yesterday at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

The 49-year-old suffered serious head and chest injuries when his black Triumph Daytona motorcycle collided with a car on the A458 Stourbridge Road in Stanmore, near Bridgnorth, at 11.55am on Sunday.

He was airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham, following the crash with a red Honda Jazz and was later transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The female driver of the Honda and her passenger suffered minor injuries.

Mr Nock had served with West Midlands Fire Service for 22-and-a-half years and was watch commander of red watch at Halesowen Fire Station in Hagley Road.

West Midlands Fire Service group commander Phil Towers said: "It is with deep regret that, following an off-duty accident, watch commander Gary Nock has passed away.

"He leaves behind a wife and family and the thoughts of serving and retired fire service personnel are with Gary's family at this time."

Constable Ben Ward, of West Mercia Police, today made a fresh appeal for any witnesses to the crash.

The South Shropshire coroner has now been informed and a post mortem and inquest will take place at a later date.