Motorcyclist killed in accident near Market Drayton

A Shropshire man has died following a smash between a motorcycle and tractor on a country road.

Police today said a second man had been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following the crash. He has since been bailed until the end of September.

The victim was today named locally as Stephen O'Neill from Market Drayton.

He was riding a motorcycle that was in collision with a tractor towing a trailer on the B5026 Loggerheads to Eccleshall road.

The collision happened outside Broughton Village Hall at Wetwood, near Loggerheads, just after 9.45am yesterday.

West Midlands Ambulance Service attended the scene but paramedics were unable to do anything to save Mr O'Neill.

Neil Spencer, Staffordshire Police spokesman, today said: "The Triumph motorbike was being ridden towards Eccleshall.

"The tractor, which was pulling an unladen trailer, was being driven towards Charnes by a man in his 50s from the Eccleshall area," he added.

Mr Spencer said the man was interviewed at Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent.

An ambulance, incident support officer, community first responder and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford were dispatched to the scene.

West Midlands Ambulance spokeswoman, Suzie Fothergill, said: "On arrival at the scene crews found a motorcyclist who had reportedly been in collision with a trailer that was being towed by a tractor.

"The motorcyclist, a man, was immediately assessed by crews.

"Unfortunately it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed deceased at the scene," she added.

No-one else was injured in this incident.

Staffordshire police are investigating the circumstances of the crash.

Police are appealing for witnesses.

Anyone with information about the incident, or who saw the collision or the movements of the two vehicles shortly before, is asked to call Sergeant Jez Heath or Constable Andy Barrow on 0300 123 4455.

By Tom Johannsen