Passenger critical after car crashes

A car passenger was today in a critical condition in hospital after the car he was travelling in crashed into a tree in Wolverhampton.

Hours later, paramedics were called to reports of a four-car collision in Bilston.

The first smash happened in Wergs Road, Tettenhall, at around 3.20am yesterday when a Mitsubishi Lancer left the road and hit a tree close to Danescourt Cemetery.

A 25-year-old man who was driving left the scene after the crash but was later arrested at Bilston Street police station on suspicion of drink-driving and failing to stop following an accident.

The passenger, also aged 25, was taken to the city's New Cross Hospital by ambulance with serious head and chest injuries.

Police reopened the busy road just after 9am yesterday. Ambulance crews were later called to Broad Lanes, in Bilston, close to the George and Dragon pub to reports of a four-car collision.

Those involved escaped with only minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

Police sealed off the road after the crash, which happened at around 2pm, and was captured on camera by Express & Star reader Phil Beckett.

Anyone with information about the Wergs Road crash is urged to call Bilston Street police station's road policing unit on 0845 113 5000.

It is the latest smash to happen on the highway, where nearby residents have campaigned to reduce the speed limit from 40 mph to 30 mph. In 2005, a petition was handed to the council calling for action to be taken.

But 62 per cent of commuters objected following a public consultation over the plans.

Councillor Barry Findlay, representative for Tettenhall Regis, said today the safety of Wergs Road remained a concern for residents.

"The local authority should review the situation and rethink the measures in place there," he said.

"Wergs Road is one of the few single carriage roads in Wolverhampton with a 40mph speed limit.

"In the past, residents have asked for the speed limit to be lowered. I will be raising it with our road safety team."