Two die in collision involving police vehicle in Shropshire

Two people have died and two others sustained injuries after a crash involving a police vehicle in Shropshire.

A man in his 60s who was driving a Skoda Octavia and a woman passenger in her 50s died at the scene in Morville Heath on Saturday, West Mercia police said. A woman in her 20s who was also in the car sustained minor injuries.

The driver of the police vehicle sustained serious injuries and was taken to the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham. The names of the deceased have not been disclosed.

The collision happened on the A458 between Much Wenlock and Bridgnorth at about 10.15am. The police staff member was driving a crime scene investigation vehicle that was not travelling in response to an emergency, the force added in a statement on its website.

Ch Supt Gareth Morris, of West Mercia police, said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man and woman following this awful incident, and our staff member, who has been seriously hurt, at this difficult time.

“We ask that their privacy is respected. I would also like to reassure the public that we have referred the incident to the IOPC [Independent Office for Police Conduct].”

West Midlands police are asking anyone who may have any information or dashcam footage of the incident to report it via its website or speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.