Church Stretton Road Collision Victim Named

The man who died when the van he was a passenger in crashed near Church Stretton in south Shropshire on Monday, was today named as Paul Fentham, aged 56, of Great Barr, Birmingham.

Two other men were seriously injured when the white Mercedes Sprinter panel van struck a tree after losing control on the A49 about one mile north of Church Stretton.

Mr Fentham was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was formally identified yesterday.  A post mortem has been held and the south Shropshire coroner Mr Anthony Sibcy is expected to open an inquest before the end of the week.

No other vehicle was involved in the incident which resulted in the A49 being closed for nearly seven hours.

The collision happened at around 10.35am and police today renewed their appeal for witnesses.  They believe the van, which was travelling south towards Church Stretton, may have been following a lorry with a blue panel on its back end immediately before the crash.

It's thought the van driver may have pulled out as if to overtake the lorry just before losing control.  Police are particularly keen to trace the driver of the lorry as they continue to investigate the circumstances.

Issued: Wednesday, 01 February 2012