Tettenhall cyclist, 21, dies after hitting road kerb

A cyclist in Wolverhampton who was thrown from his bike when his wheel hit a kerb has died.

Detectives today appealed for anyone with information on the tragedy in Tettenhall to come forward.

The man, a 21-year-old Latvian, was cycling on Old Hill, Tettenhall, when the accident happened by Sharratts Family Law at around 11.15am yesterday.

He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to the major trauma unit at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital with severe facial and chest injuries.

The victim was flown to the hospital by the Midland Air Ambulance, which had landed on Lower Green. Police cordoned off Old Hill, which meets with the junction of Tettenhall Road, to carry out investigations into the tragedy.

David Wickham, of Jon Oliver Communications, based at The Rock in Tettenhall, saw the air ambulance arrive shortly after the crash. He said: "It's absolutely awful that the man has died. It's a tragedy. You just feel for the family."

Mr Wickham said the road was generally quiet and not known as an accident blackspot. "There haven't been accidents here over the years but the hill is very, very steep," he added. West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman Chris Kowalik said: "The cyclist had numerous serious injuries. Sadly, he was confirmed dead after arrival at hospital."

After the accident cars were being redirected further along the Tettenhall Road to Limes Road.

Senior carer Selbie Smith, based at Woodfields Residential Home, near the scene of the accident, said: "We heard a cyclist had swerved away from a car."

A police spokesman said they wanted to trace the driver of a small blue car which was seen near the site of the accident.