Fire chief in crash dies

A fire chief from Halesowen died today following a horror motorcycle crash. Watch commander Gary Nock died in the early hours at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The 49-year-old suffered serious head and chest injuries when his black Triumph Daytona motorcycle hit a car on the A458 Stourbridge Road in Stanmore near Bridgnorth.

Mr Nock, who leaves behind a wife and children, had served with West Midlands Fire Service for 22-and-a-half years.

Following the crash with a red Honda Jazz at 11.55am on Sunday, he was airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital and later transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Mr Nock was commander of red watch at Halesowen Fire Station in Hagley Road. Group commander Phil Towers said today: "It is with deep regret that, following an off-duty accident, watch commander Gary Nock has passed away. He leaves behind a wife and family and the thoughts of serving and retired fire service personnel are with Gary's family at this time."

West Mercia Police today made a fresh appeal for any witnesses of the crash.

The female driver of the Honda and her passenger suffered minor injuries and shock.

Constable Ben Ward said he was keen to speak to anyone who saw the crash. He said: "The driver and passenger in the Honda suffered minor injuries and both the car and motorbike suffered extensive damage. The road was closed for several hours while the emergency services worked and police collision investigators were at the scene."

The South Shropshire coroner has now been informed and a post mortem and inquest will take place.

The crash was one of two serious smashes on the road in the space of 24 hours. At 5.30pm on Saturday, two bikers were lucky to escape with their lives after their cycle smashed into a 4X4 on the A458. The driver of the motorcycle, who is in his late 20s, suffered "multiple serious traumatic leg injuries". His pillion passenger, a man in his 40s, also suffered serious leg injuries.

Anyone with information can call West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000.