Pedestrians seriously injured in Black Country hit-and-runs

Early this morning a pedestrian was involved in a hit-and-run crash in Netherton and was today seriously ill in hospital.

A 53-year-old man was knocked down in Halesowen Road at 7am this morning. The driver, a 37-year-old man, left the scene but later handed himself in to police.

The pedestrian suffered head and rib injuries after being hit by a Kia Shuma outside Lloyds Bank and Options Computers, close to the junction with Northfields Road.

Sgt Kelvin Street, of Brierley Hill police, said: "The injured man is currently in hospital.

"The driver of the vehicle initially failed to stop at the scene but has since made contact with police.

"Officers interviewed the driver this afternoon. He will postal charged in due course.

"The road would have been busy at that time with commuters and we are appealing to anyone who was in the area to call us."

Shop staff arrived to start work at 9am to find the road closed and cordoned off with police cars at the scene. Officers advised workers to find alternative routes, with many choosing to drive along Marriott Road. Buses were also diverted before the road was reopened at 9.45am.

West Midlands Ambulance Service Jamie Arrowsmith said: "On arrival, crews arrived to find a man in his 50s who had been involved in collision with a car. It is believed the man's head collided with the car windscreen in the incident.

"Following assessment from ambulance staff he was treated for cuts to his head and fractured ribs.

"He was then immobilised with the use of a scoop stretcher and neck collar before being taken to Russells Hall Hospital.

"The man was conscious throughout the incident and thankfully his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening."

Workers from the area today expressed concern about the road's safety.

Emily Gray, branch manager at the Property Shop in Halesowen Road, said pedestrians were at risk because part of the road was on the brow of a hill with traffic coming from both up and down Halesowen Road and also up Northfields Road to the junction with Halesowen Road.

She said: "It seems a bit of a nightmare at the moment because there are people crossing the road at that point by Lloyds Bank but the traffic does not stop. There have been a couple of incidents there between October and December."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Meanwhile a female pedestrian was seriously injured in another suspected hit-and-run in Wolverhampton last night.

Police were called to Newhampton Road East at 11.30pm after a car, believed to be a Ford Fiesta, was in collision with a female pedestrian.

The woman was found lying in the road, near to the junction with Park Avenue, with serious head and arm injuries. She remains in hospital in a stable condition.

The car drove off after the collision in the direction of Waterloo Road. Enquiries at the scene lead officers to believe the vehicle is a new shape Ford Fiesta, which is likely to have front end damage.

Detective sergeant Carl Russell said: "A woman suffered serious injuries in this collision and we need to find the driver of the car involved as a matter of urgency.

"The Fiesta is likely to have some front end damage where it was in collision with the woman and so if you know of a vehicle matching its description or have been asked to repair such a car, since last night, please call us as soon as possible."

Newhampton Road East was closed from Waterloo Road to Park Avenue whilst a forensic examination was carried out at the scene.

The car is described as a new shape Ford Fiesta, driven by a young Asian man with a short beard and wearing a baseball cap.

Any witnesses are urged to contact Force CID at Wednesfield police station by dialling 101.

Anyone with information should contact West Midlands Police on 101.