Devastation on Birmingham roads tonight as police remain at two crash scenes
Two major crashes have ground two major city routes to a halt
by Ben Perrin, Naomi DeSouza, https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/authors/ben-perrin/, https://www.facebook.com/naomicovlive · Birmingham LiveThere has been widespread devastation on Birmingham's roads this evening as a result of two serious crashes. Both incidents closed two major city routes, both of which remain closed as the time of publishing.
A large amount of emergency services were called to Pershore Road just before 4pm to reports of a collision between a car and a person. The major city route remains blocked this evening as accident investigators from West Midlands Police remain at the scene.
Some ten minutes later, emergency crews including West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service and West Midlands Ambulance raced to the A38 Bristol Road in Edgbaston. Members of the public spoke of a car on its roof, with one eyewitness describing it as a "horror smash." BirminghamLive reported live from both scenes, where a West Midlands Police presence remains. As both routes are sealed off, we explain everything we know below.
LIVE UPDATES FROM PERSHORE ROAD:Pershore Road closed live as investigators put up tent after serious crash
LIVE UPDATES FROM BRISTOL ROAD:Bristol Road closed live as 'car left on roof' in serious crash
Pershore Road crash
Pershore Road was blocked to traffic as 999 crews responded to the serious collision just after 4.30pm. West Midlands Ambulance described the incident as a collision between a car and pedestrian. Several witnesses at the scene have told us a cement mixer was involved in the collision.
These are unconfirmed reports so far as we await more from the police who are leading the incident. Yellow cones have been put up as well as a blue tent as police continue to investigate this serious crash.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called to reports of a collision between a car and pedestrian near to the junction of Pershore Road and Watford Road at 4.41pm, two ambulances, a paramedic officer and a MERIT trauma doctor attended the scene. On arrival we discovered one patient. The incident is still ongoing and further details will follow when available."
A West Midlands Police spokesperson issued a short statement just after 6pm which stated: "We're currently at the scene of a serious collision on Pershore Road South, near the junction of Watford Road.
"We'd ask people to avoid the area where possible." Bus services 18, 49, 45 and 47 are all being diverted tonight and the latest from live traffic system INRIX states: "A441 Pershore Road in both directions closed due to police incident between the car garage and B4121 Middleton Hall Road (Cotteridge Island)."
Bristol Road crash
Shortly after 5pm, 999 crews responded to a major crash on the A38 Bristol Road. The key route, which stretches through Edgbaston from the city centre, was sealed off as emergency services attended to a car which had been "left on its roof" according to witnesses.
West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service and West Midlands Ambulance were all in attendance on the route, which remains closed. One eyewitness described it as a "horror smash", telling BirminghamLive: "There is a car upside down, fire engines are there."
We are awaiting an official line from West Midlands Police and West Midlands Ambulance on the nature of the Bristol Road crash, but it is understood to have been serious. Live traffic system INRIX confirms the A38 Bristol Road remains closed tonight and that buses are being diverted. INRIX stated: "A38 Bristol Road outbound blocked due to accident from A4029 Pebble Mill Road to Eastern Road.Diversion - bus services 61 and 63."