Three dead, one critical in horror crash (From Cotswold Journal)

Three dead, one critical in horror crash

9:50am Monday 11th June 2012 in News By Robert Hale

TRAGEDY: Floral tributes at the crash site (23058603)

FLOWERS have been left at the spot where three people were killed and a fourth critically injured in a car crash near Pershore.

Emergency services were called to the spot shortly after 12.30 on Saturday after a car carrying four people hit a tree on the B4084 in Wick.

The crash occurred at Avon Bank close to the agricultural college.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics, a man and a woman were pronounced dead at the scene.

Fire-fighters from Evesham and Pershore used winches and cutting gear to free the other two, another man and another woman, who were rushed to hospital.

However, the woman was pronounced dead a short time later. The man admitted to hospital remains in a critical condition with multiple injuries.

All four casualties from the vehicle are thought to be in their 20s. They have not been formally identified, and police are unlikely to name them before Monday at the earliest.

Today floral tributes to the dead have been placed at the scene by family members.

One reads: "To our beautiful, gorgeous niece Rebecca Ann, nephew Luke. We are going to miss you so very much."

Another reads: "In loving memory of my beautiful brother and sister. You will always be with me."

And another said: "To Liz, we will miss you so much. You will always be remembered."

The road between Evesham and Pershore was closed for several hours following the crash but has now been re-opened.

Three ambulances, a paramedic area support officer, a rapid response vehicle and the MERIT emergency doctor attended the scene.

An ambulance service spokesman said: “Sadly, it quickly became apparent to crews and the doctor that nothing could be done to save the driver, a man, and a passenger, a woman, and both were confirmed dead on scene.

“A second woman suffered multiple traumatic injuries and was trapped in the vehicle. Crews and the doctor quickly commenced vital emergency treatment whilst working with the fire service to extricate her from the wreckage. Once freed, the woman was taken by land ambulance on blue lights to Worcester Royal Hospital with crews continuing treatment on route.

“On arrival at hospital the woman went into cardiac arrest and attempts to resuscitate her began. Sadly, despite the best efforts of ambulance crews, the MERIT doctor and hospital medics nothing could be done to save the woman and she was confirmed dead.

“A second man from the car also sustained multiple traumatic injuries and was trapped inside the car for over 90 minutes. Crews and the doctor worked closely with the fire service to release the man from the wreckage whilst his condition was monitored and he continued to receive the emergency treatment he needed.

“Once out of the car, he was fully immobilised, given pain relief and due to the serious nature of the man’s injuries the doctor decided to anaesthetise him to stabilise his condition on scene.

“The man was then taken by land ambulance on blue lights to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, one of the region’s specialist trauma centres, with the doctor on board to continue advanced treatment.

“Medics at the hospital were pre-alerted to the arrival of the man who, at the time, was said to be in a critical condition.”

Inspector Julian Smith, of West Mercia Police's Force Operational Support Team, said: "The incident appears to have involved just one vehicle.

"The indication is that the car was travelling from Pershore when it left the road and hit the tree.

"There were four occupants of the vehicle and three are tragically deceased, while the fourth is currently in a critical condition at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham."

The tree the car hit was immediately distinguishable, with the bark completely stripped from one side, and a section of a nearby wooden fence was smashed down. However, there appeared to be no skid-marks on the road.

Police officers are now investigating the cause of this collision and anyone who believes they may have information about it is asked to call West Mercia Police on 101 or 0300 333 3000, quoting incident number 20S 090612.

• Do you know the people involved? Please leave your tributes below.