Man killed at breakdown scene

A vehicle recovery worker was killed while working on his friend's tow truck which had broken down in West Bromwich.

The 51-year-old, from Handsworth in Birmingham, was crushed underneath one of the vehicles after it was struck by a sports car in Park Lane yesterday afternoon.

Emergency crews battled to save the man, who was trapped under the truck, but he suffered multiple injuries and died at the scene.

Police have not yet named the victim.

Detective chief inspector Danny Long, of West Bromwich police station, said: "It appears that a man broke down and the victim was called to come and help him with recovery.

"A car came round the corner and hit one of the vehicles, killing the person who had come to help.

"We are carrying out a full accident reconstruction."

Sergeant Angie Baggott, head of the road policing unit at West Bromwich said: "We have interviewed one person, but we have not arrested anyone."

Police say the two trucks - a Mercedes lorry and Ford transit - were parked up in Park Lane, close to the junction with Forge Lane when the horrific collision happened at about 1.45pm.

The Ford vehicle was hit from behind by a Jaguar XK8 sports car which was travelling along the same road, driven by an elderly man. He suffered a slight head injury but refused hospital treatment.

The third man, believed to be the driver of the original recovery vehicle, suffered a slight graze to his leg.

The road was closed off for more than three hours while teams of emergency crews battled to get the man out and clear the wreckage.

Crew commander Dean Yates, of West Bromwich fire station, said: "We used air bags to lift the vehicle off the casualty and that was done within two minutes."

Paramedics were unable to resuscitate the man and he was pronounced dead at the scene. An inquest is expected to be held late next week.

By Chris Howes