Driver dies after falling ill at wheel in Kingswinford
A man who crashed his car after becoming ill at the wheel has died - despite the efforts of an off-duty firefighter who gave CPR at the scene.
The accident happened in Glynne Avenue, Kingswinford, when the car left the road and crashed into a small garden wall.
The firefighter, from Dudley fire station, was on the road at around 11am yesterday when the crash happened.
He pulled the driver out and started giving him first aid until ambulance crews arrived to take him to hospital.
The 78-year-old man was treated at the scene by paramedics but later died in hospital.
A female passenger was also taken to Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital as a precaution.
Watch commander Mick Clarke, from Brierley Hill fire station, said: "A crew from this station was called to the scene, and when we arrived there was a crew commander from Dudley who was giving mouth to mouth and heat massage to the driver.
"When the officer arrived he and another passer-by dragged the driver out of the vehicle and started to give him CPR straight away."
West Midlands Police spokeswoman Gina Lycett said: "It is believed that the 78-year-old may have fallen ill at the wheel and despite the best efforts of medical staff he died a short time later."
The road was closed while emergency services dealt with the incident and was re-opened just after midday.
