Two men were killed today in separate car crashes in the West Midlands. The tragedies were part of a busy night for the region’s emergency services.

Incidents took place as thousands of people took to the streets to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

The first crash happened at 2.05am on Belgrave Middleway in Birmingham, when a 26-year-old man was knocked down by a car.

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman Chris Kowalik said: “Three senior paramedic officers and an ambulance crew attended a road traffic collision involving a pedestrian and a car.

“The pedestrian was taken to City Hospital which had been put on alert in anticipation of his arrival. Unfortunately nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at hospital.”

West Midlands Police said investigations were continuing at the scene today.

The second crash took place at 2.06am on the A495 Ellesmere in Shropshire.

Mr Kowalik said: “A senior paramedic officer and an ambulance crew attended a road traffic collision. One vehicle had collided with a tree. The driver, a man, was confirmed dead at the scene.”

Police and paramedics received thousands of 999 calls overnight, but praised the public for the night passing without any major disorder.