Bilston Fire Station shared an image of the incident (Image: Bilston Fire Station)

Fireball crash leaves woman and children hurt as VW Golf and BMW 'engulfed in flames'

The multi-vehicle crash beneath a railway bridge also sparked travel chaos for passengers

by · Birmingham Live

A dramatic fireball crash left a woman and children hurt as two cars became "fully engulfed in flames", fire crews say. A fire broke out as the BMW X1 and VW Golf collided beneath a railway bridge in Wolverhampton on Saturday (Oct 12).

It's believed the crash, also involving a van, sparked major disruption for train passengers, with all lines blocked between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street as the blaze affected the tracks above. Cables and rail equipment were thought to be damaged by the blaze, meaning trains were cancelled, delayed or diverted.

Before the two-car crash police were pursuing the VW Golf driver - who had failed to stop for officers. A man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop.

Read more:Birmingham trains live as fire breaks out next to track between New Street and Wolverhampton

He too was taken to hospital and will be spoken to by officers "in due course." A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "The Golf had earlier been pursued after failing to stop for officers.

"A man has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop. He has been taken to hospital for treatment and will be spoken to in due course.

"The collision led to a fire and officers managed to help the occupants of the BMW from their vehicle. A woman and two young children have been taken to hospital for further assessment although their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening."

The scene of the fire behind the disruption (Image: Birmingham New Street)

The force's Professional Standards Department (PSD) has been informed - which is "standard procedure in such circumstances". Anyone with information about what happened is asked to get in touch with officers by calling 101, or via Live Chat on the West Midlands Police website, quoting log 1583 of 12 October.

Bilston White Watch later took to social media to share the image above of the crash. They warned drivers to be "mindful" of their driving and road conditions. They said: "Bilston White Watch attended an RTC involving 2 cars and a van this afternoon. Both cars had been fully engulfed in fire.

"A reminder to the public to be mindful of their driving and the road conditions."