Arrest after pedestrians hit by car in West Bromwich
A man has been arrested after two men were hit by a car in West Bromwich last night.
One of the men hit remains in a critical condition today after he was struck by the vehicle at the junction of High Street and Trinity Way at around 5.30pm.
The two men were walking along High Street, near to the Raaj FM building, when a silver Volkswagon Phaeton, travelling towards the town centre, collided with them.
The driver of the Volkswagon, a 45-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and was later released on police bail pending further enquiries.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "Upon arrival crews found two pedestrians, both men, who had reportedly been in collision with a car at a pedestrian crossing. One man was in cardiac arrest and was being given excellent CPR by an off-duty trainee paramedic and members of the public.
"Crews immediately took over resuscitation efforts and successfully managed to restart the man's heart. The man had sustained a serious head injury and, in order to stabilise the man's serious condition, the MERIT doctor took the decision to anaesthetise him on scene."
Once his condition stabilised, he was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and treated en route by a doctor.
The second pedestrian, a man believed to be in his 30s, was conscious and breathing but had sustained nasty fractures to both his arm and leg.
Sergeant Neil Higgins, from the force Collision Investigation Unit, has launched an inquiry into the crash. He is now appealing for witnesses to come forward.
"This is a busy junction, particularly at that time of night, and we want to hear from anyone who was in the area who may have witnessed the collision," he said.
"We are yet to identify the two men and continue to make enquiries this morning so we can make contact with their next of kin.
"We believe that they are in their 40s and live in the local West Bromwich or Handsworth area.
"We urge anyone who has information relating to their identities or the collision to contact us at the earliest opportunity."
Those with any information should call police on 101.
