A man died today after the car he was travelling in car crashed into a lamp post and overturned in Birmingham. Dudley Road in Ladywood was closed in both directions at the junction with Heath Street.

It is believed a Ford Focus car was travelling along Dudley Road towards the city at 5am when the driver lost control of the vehicle, which left the road, hit the lamp post near City Hospital and overturned.

Another four men were in the car. One suffered serious injuries but the other three are not believed to be as badly hurt.

No other vehicle was believed to have been involved.

The section of Dudley Road was expected to remain closed in both directions for most of the morning while specialist traffic officers carry out an accident reconstruction.

Diversions are in place.John Hawker, West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman, said: “Crews found a car on its side with considerable damage.

“One man who was in the vehicle had suffered serious multiple injuries and despite the best efforts of ambulance crews, nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead.

“Two other men suffered multiple serious injuries. Both men were transferred to City Hospital while a fourth man suffered serious head and leg injuries. He was taken to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham.”