Police car in call-out smashes into bridge

A police car responding to a 999 call hurtled into a railway bridge in the Black Country, smashing an overhead bridge and injuring the driver.

The West Midlands Police officer, in his 20s, had to be removed from the patrol car with a neck brace and spinal board after losing control in Coalpool Lane, Ryecroft, Walsall.

The accident sent rubble down the embankment and delayed four trains, which had to travel past the scene at just five miles an hour before a railway engineer arrived.

They decided the bridge had been made unsafe by the collision and ordered emergency strengthening work be carried out, while rubble was cleared away. The smash happened near the junction with Profitt Street at 5.40am on Saturday.

The policeman, in his 20s, was taken to Walsall Manor Hospital suffering from facial injuries.

West Midlands Police spokesman Steve Garey said: "We can confirm that a WMP police car, a Vauxhall Astra, responding to an emergency incident was in collision with a railway bridge at Coalpool Lane.

"The driver, a male police constable, sustained a minor facial injury. There was no-one else in the car and no other vehicles were involved. The road was temporarily closed for vehicle recovery and was reopened at 9.28am."

Two fire trucks from Walsall Fire Station assisted police officers in making sure the bridge and scene were safe, but left after little more than 20 minutes.

Force spokeswoman Hilary Hopker said police would not reveal details of the emergency call, but said "alternative resources" would have been directed there following the crash.

West Midlands Ambulance spokeswoman Claire Thomas said they were called to reports of a car that had collided with a wall on a narrow lane at around 5.50am and an incident support officer were sent to the scene.

West Midlands Police said the crash, as was routine for any collision involving a police vehicle, would be referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission for investigation.