Man killed in North Shropshire pile-up

One man has been killed after a car and a lorry crashed in a "major impact" on a Shropshire main road today.

The man, who has not been named, was driving on the A41 at Higher Heath, near Whitchurch, when the collision happened.

Several other cars were involved in the pile-up, which caused the lorry to jack-knife, leaving the road blocked.

Police are investigating the smash and have appealed for witnesses.

A spokesman urged motorists to avoid the road as it is likely to be closed for several hours while accident investigation work takes place.

The crash caused rush-hour traffic chaos with both lanes of the A41 closed.

The accident happened at about 7.50am. Motorists faced long delays and queueing traffic between Tern Hill and Whitchurch.

Richard Ewels, West Mercia Police spokesman, said: "A man has died following a collision involving an articulated lorry and several cars.

"It happened at about 7.50am today on the A41 between Whitchurch and Prees, just south of Higher Heath and near the junction with the A442.

"There was a major impact between the lorry and one of the cars, whose driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

"No-one else is thought to have been injured.

"Police are anxious to speak to any witnesses."

Emergency services were at the scene, with ambulance staff treating three casualties and firefighters attempting to get one patient free from the wreckage of one of the vehicles.

Claire Thomas, West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman, said: "We got the call to the A41 between Whitchurch and Market Drayton at about 7.50am and the collision involved two cars and a lorry."

Shropshire Council highways officials have set up a diversion past the scene.

Traffic was being diverted from Tern Hill island, up the A53 to Espley Island, then through Hodnet and what was the A442 to re-join the A41 north of Sandford Industrial Estate.

Fire crews from Hodnet, Market Drayton, Wellington and Shrewsbury went to the scene.

The coroner for mid and north Shropshire, Mr John Ellery, was due to be informed of the death, police said.

Witnesses to the collision are asked to call Shrewsbury police on 0300 333 3000.

By Tom Johannsen