Cyclist dies after collision with car in Walsall
A cyclist has died after a crash with a car in Walsall.
An air ambulance was sent along with police and paramedics after the crash happened near Morrisons in Lower Rushall Street at around 10am on Tuesday.
The cyclist, a woman, was given life support by medics but pronounced dead at the scene.
The road was soon closed by emergency services and remained shut from the Arboretum traffic lights up to Ablewell Street into the afternoon as police began their investigation.
A bicycle and a VW Polo with a damaged windscreen were examined by officers behind the cordon at the junction of Lower Rushall Street and Walhouse Road.
Multiple cordons remained in place along Lower Rushall Street and Walhouse Road at 2pm as specialist collision investigators examined the scene.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Lower Rushall Street in Walsall at 10.06am and sent two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance to the scene.
A spokesman said: “On arrival we discovered one patient, a woman, who was the cyclist. She had suffered serious injuries in the collision and ambulance staff immediately began administering advanced life support.
“However, despite their best efforts it sadly became apparent nothing could be done to save the woman and she was confirmed dead at the scene."
Officers from West Midlands Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit were combing the scene, including looking over the vehicle. They were also doing skid tests with the vehicle, accelerating then quickly braking inside the cordon.
One man, who wished to remain anonymous, said he thought he heard a "street sweeper" but went outside to find an air ambulance trying to land.
Then he saw paramedics carrying out CPR on someone. He said: "I watched them doing CPR for about half an hour. They were going 10 to the dozen, about three or four of them doing CPR."
He added: "It is shocking to be honest. You don't expect anything like this to happen."
West Midlands Police has said a 42-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drink or drugs.
In a statement, the force said the woman was using a pedestrian crossing when hit by the VW Polo, which drove on.
Members of the public then detained the driver after the car stopped a short distance away.
