Wednesday 12th February 2014 – 9.55pm – Suzie Fothergill.
West Midlands Ambulance Service has attended to a number of incidents that have occurred as a result of falling trees around the Region today.
Ambulance crews were called to reports of a lorry that had collided with a bridge in Shropshire after a tree fell on to the carriageway.
Two ambulances, two rapid response vehicles and the Trust’s MERIT rapid response vehicle, carrying a critical care paramedic and a trauma doctor were dispatched to the incident which occurred near to Tern Lodge in Atcham, Shrewsbury shortly before 4.15pm.
The driver of the lorry, was trapped in the cab for approximately two hours whilst emergency service crews worked together to free him safely.
The man was treated for a broken arm and a laceration to his head before being conveyed to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for further assessment and treatment.
At 5.30pm the ambulance service received a call to Leek Road in Longsdon, Stoke-on-Trent to reports of a number of trees that had fallen on a car. An ambulance and a paramedic area support officer attended the scene.
On arrival, crews found two trees that had fallen on to power cables and a vehicle. Fortunately, the driver of the vehicle, a man, had managed to get himself out of the car. The man was assessed at the scene and was found to be uninjured.
These two incidents followed on from an earlier reported collision which took place on the M6 at 3.45pm this afternoon.
Given the damage to the vehicles in these incidents, all of the casualties involved have been fortunate to have sustained relatively minor or no injuries.
With the high winds and rainy weather set to continue, road users and pedestrians are asked to consider if their journeys are essential this evening. If you do need to travel please ensure you take extra care when out and adjust your driving to suit the conditions of the road.
Ends
Notes to editors
Pictures of the Atcham incident can be downloaded. If used, please credit West Midlands Ambulance Service.