Shropshire: Two die after crash involving police vehicle

The vehicles crashed on the A458 in the Morville Heath area, police said (generic view of the road)

Two people have died after the car they were travelling in crashed with a police vehicle in Shropshire.

A West Mercia Police crime scene investigation vehicle and a Skoda Octavia crashed on the A458 in the Morville Heath area at about 10:15 GMT.

A man in his 60s, the driver of the car, and a passenger, a woman in her 50s, died at the scene.

The driver of the police vehicle, which was not responding to an emergency, sustained serious injuries.

The officer was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for treatment following the incident on the A458 between Much Wenlock and Bridgnorth.

West Mercia Police said paramedics attended the scene and attempted to revive the driver and passenger, before declaring them dead after 45 minutes.

A third woman also travelling in the Skoda, aged in her 20s, suffered minor injuries.

Ch Supt Gareth Morris said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man and woman following this awful incident, and our staff member who has been seriously hurt, at this difficult time."

The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and the force's Professional Standards Department has been alerted, as is normal practice.