'Fly high mate': Tributes at Wolverhampton roadside grow following death of dad in crash
The number of flowers at the side of a Wolverhampton road is continuing to grow in tribute to a dad who died after a car crashed into a wall.
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The man, named locally as Ben Smith, was the driver of a Ford Focus which collided with a brick wall on the A449 Penn Road near its junction with Vicarage Road at around 5.20pm on Saturday (March 1).
The 41-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. His family are being supported by specialist police officers.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We were called to reports of a car that had crashed into a wall on Penn Road at 5.15pm on Saturday.
"Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and a MERIT trauma doctor, with a critical care paramedic, attended the scene.
"On arrival we discovered one patient, a man, who was in a critical condition. Ambulance staff immediately began administering advanced life support but sadly, despite their best efforts, it became apparent nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene."
Now, a growing pile of tributes has been left at the scene of the fatal crash.
Bouquets of flowers can be seen among the rubble of the broken brick wall along with several Jack Daniel's whiskey bottles.
A pair of sunglasses and notes from loved ones can also be spotted.
One message attached to a bouquet of flowers reads: "Ben, it becomes so real standing here placing these flowers for you. Not really something I thought we would be doing. Thank you for everything you have done for me and my family."
Another says: "Ben, oh buddy, you will be very missed and forever loved. Fly high mate."
A third message reads: "Rest in peace Ben. Always be in my thoughts. Deepest sympathy to all his family."
An online fundraiser has been set up to support Ben's family and children.
A statement by Roxanne Afzal on the Go Fund Me page reads: "Absolutely heart breaking to be writing this. We’re setting this up to help at such a sad time to take a little weight off the worry of costs for Ben's family.
"Saturday was the worse day for Ben's family and friend's to hear the sad news of such a tragic accident. Any donation would go a little way to help towards helping his family and his children for costs that are due to come for them."
The fundraiser had generated more then £3,120 in donations as of Monday (March 3) afternoon.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said on Monday enquiries into the crash are ongoing.
The force previously asked people with information or dash cam footage to get in touch by calling 101, or via the Live Chat function on its website quoting 3551 of March 1.
