Motorist dies in tree crash

A driver died after his Mini Cooper careered off the road before flipping over and crashing into a tree on the Walsall-Staffordshire border.

Stuart Smith, aged 46, was airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham, following the accident in Lime Lane, between Pelsall and Norton Canes, yesterday.

A passenger in the yellow Mini Cooper was taken to Walsall Manor Hospital for treatment but was not seriously injured.

A Staffordshire Fire Service spokesman said: "For some reason, the car has come off the road and collided with a tree, roof first. It was a soft-top car, so there wasn't a lot of protection. We spent about 10 minutes releasing the driver, opening the doors and removing the framework of the soft-top roof. A doctor and paramedics treated him, while we worked to free him.

"He was airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital where, unfortunately, he died from his injuries."

Mr Smith was from Almond Close, Pelsall.

A Staffordshire Police spokesman said Mr Smith's car was travelling towards Pelsall when the accident happened. No other vehicles were involved. Lime Lane was closed for nearly three-and-a-half hours following the crash at around 10.15am while firefighters and paramedics battled to save Mr Smith.

After he was airlifted from the scene, road traffic officers kept the road closed while they tried to piece together what happened. It was reopened at 1.40pm.

South Staffordshire coroner Andrew Haigh has been informed of Mr Smith's death and is expected to open an inquest this week.

Anyone with information should call Pc Martin at Staffordshire Police on 08453 302010.