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Man dies after BMW and double-decker bus crash in Great Barr

A man has died after the BMW he was driving collided with a double-decker bus in Great Barr.

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Deepak Riat, who died after a crash between the BMW he was driving and a bus

Deepak Riat, aged 30, was pronounced dead after the crash happened on Hamstead Road, near the junction with Amberley Green, just before 9pm last night.

Mr Riat and his front-seat passenger - a man in his 20s - were both seriously injured and rushed to hospital, where Mr Riat later died. The driver of the bus and three passengers suffered minor injuries.

Reporter Clare Butler was at the crash scene today:

Mr Riat's family today paid the following tribute: "In loving memory of our soldier, Dee. We will all love you for the rest of our lives. Rest in peace King.

"We ask, as a family, for privacy at this very difficult time.”

The scene of the fatal crash on Hamstead Road in Great Barr

The crash, which saw Hamstead Road closed for several hours while collision investigators examined the scene, happened just three hours after a mother and her four-year-old baby were involved in a hit-and-run one mile away on the A34 Walsall Road.

Although the baby has been discharged, the 28-year-old mother remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the fatal bus crash to come forward, as they also continue to search for the hit-and-run driver.

Interactive map of the area:

Sergeant Alan Wood from West Midlands Police's collision investigation unit, said: “We are investigating the circumstances of what happened. A number of witnesses were spoken to at the scene, and the vehicles have been recovered for further analysis.

“I would like to appeal for anyone who saw the collision take place to come forward if they have not done so already.

"The family of the driver have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers, our thoughts are with them at this time.”

Enquiries are on-going and anyone with information can contact the Collision Investigation team at fl.collision_invest@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk quoting log 2672 23/9.

Alternatively people can leave information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers the independent charity on 0800 555 111.

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