A38 death smash brings gridlock
PARAMEDICS tried in vain to save the life of a young rider killed in a hitand- run crash on a dual carriageway.
Police are hunting for a lorry driver who fled the scene after colliding with the moped vehicle, killing its rider.
The crash caused major congestion as police closed a four-mile stretch of the A38 between Alrewas and the Streethay junction near Lichfield.
Rush-hour traffic coming into Burton ground to a halt as crash investigators shut the northbound carriageway and combed it for evidence between 5.30am and 2pm yesterday.
The victim, who has not been formally identified, was involved in a collision with the lorry at 5.25am. He lay wounded at the side of the road but was pronounced dead shortly after paramedics arrived.
The lorry did not stop and continued travelling north towards Burton.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews found a young man lying near to a moped.
“They immediately started advanced life support but sadly it quickly became apparent that there was nothing that could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead at the scene.
“It was not clear what had happened.”
A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: “It is believed that the moped rider was in collision with a large HGV with a red and black cab, which did not stop at the scene.
“Officers are trying to trace the HGV and want to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed the collision or saw the white Yamaha 50cc moped travelling on the A38 at that time.
“The moped rider has not yet been formally identified but is believed to be aged in his 20s and from the Lichfield area.”
Witnesses are asked to ring Staffordshire Police by dialling 101, quoting incident number 68 of February 21.
