Fireball kills driver as car hits tree

Aug 17 2007 By Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail

A MOTORIST was killed in a fireball after his truck hit a tree and careered into a ditch near Sutton Coldfield.

Fire crews and paramedics arrived within minutes of the horror crash to find the Nissan pick-up truck in flames in a ditch off the A446 Sutton Road, a mile west of The Belfry.

They battled to extinguish the fire and reach the victim, but could not save him.

Warwickshire Police traffic officers were today investigating the crash which happened at 10.50pm yesterday.

A spokesman said: "For reasons unknown, the driver lost control on a right hand bend and ended up on a grass verge, colliding with a tree.

"He suffered multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene."

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "A car had left the road and ended up in a ditch. It had also hit a tree.

"When emergency crews arrived they found the car on fire. Unfortunately it was not possible to save the only occupant in the vehicle."

A Warwickshire Fire Service spokeswoman said ten firefighters were sent to the scene from Coleshill.

"By the time fire crews arrived, the pick-up truck was well alight," said the spokeswoman. Witnesses should ring PC Mark Simpson on 01926 415000.