The driver of a tractor has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after a collision on the A49 at Peterstow on Saturday, in which a 67 year old man died.
The fatal crash happened when a JCB tractor was in collision with a double-decker bus at the bus stop opposite the Red Lion Pub at 10.50am. The tractr was then in collision with a VW Golf car travelling in the opposite direction.
The double-decker bus and JCB tractor were heading north when the accident happened. The VW car was travelling south towards Ross-on-Wye.
The VW Golf then hit the wall of the Red Lion. The driver, William Edward Lewis from Coleford, Gloucestershire, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mr Lewis’s wife was freed by from the wreckage by the emergency services and treated for minor injuries and shock.
The driver of the tractor was arrested by police on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He was later bailed pending inquiries. An inquest was opened and adjourned yesterday (Tuesday).
A 65-year-old woman who was a passenger on the bus had neck pains and and was taken to Hereford County Hospital.
An ambulance crew, three rapid response vehicles, the County Air Ambulance from Strensham and two doctors from MARS (Mercia Accident Rescue Service) were called to the scene. The road was closed for several hours while police crash investigators carried out an examination of the scene and the site was cleared.
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash or who saw the vehicles involved immediately before it to contact PC Bob Anning of the Roads Policing Team at Hereford Police Station on 08457 444888.
While the road was still closed at Peterstow another three-vehicle collision happened further along the A49 at Much Birch at 4.05pm, where the driver of a vehicle failed to stop after shunting the car in front.
A silver Renault taxi, an orange Suzuki Vitara and an unknown red car were travelling south in line on the A49 towards Ross. As the taxi and Vitara were braking, the rear red vehicle failed to stop before leaving the scene in an unknown direction. The driver of the Renault taxi was later taken to hospital by a friend with minor whiplash injuries. No one else was reported injured.
Police are keen to trace the driver of the red vehicle involved and would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision at Much Birch.
They would also like to speak to anyone who has seen a red car that has sustained front-end damage over the weekend.
Anyone with information should contact PC Bob Conway of the at Hereford Police Station on 08457 444888.