A449 tragedy: Calls for speed calming measures as man arrested over horror crash
People have spoken of their shock and concern after a man was killed and a baby was seriously injured in a horror smash on a notorious stretch of road in Wolverhampton.
Dozens of Facebook comments poured in yesterday following the crash on the A449 Stourbridge Road, Penn, which saw the man and baby thrown from a red Peugeot 206 as it ploughed into barriers and flipped over.
Horrified passers-by rushed to try and help, with one person attempting CPR on the man while another picked up the crying baby from a grass verge.
Two air ambulances landed in the road, near Miller & Carter, but nothing could be done to save the man – named by a family member as shop worker Iana Dumitru. The baby was taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital by land ambulance.
Staffordshire Police said a man has been arrested in connection with the incident – the second fatal to happen there in less than 10 months.
Another man and two women were also inside the car travelling towards the Wombourne island at Wodehouse Lane when the crash happened.
The victim, said to be aged 51, was not the baby’s father.
A resident from Lloyd Drive, who did not wish to be named, said: “Some people saw it go up in the air and flip. It appeared to hit the barrier. The baby landed on the grass verge. Someone ran over and picked it up because it was crying. Someone was attempting CPR on him.”
A family member, who did not want to be named, said the victim had moved to Wolverhampton from Romania a year ago.
He said: “It was my mother’s boyfriend. She was in the car with him. She is out of hospital now but is in shock like the rest of us.”
A Staffordshire Police Spokesman said: “A male was declared deceased at the scene. Another male has been arrested.”
Pensioner Frederick Dudley was knocked down and killed at the same spot in November last year and coroner Margaret Jones ordered the speed to be reduced on the 60mph stretch at Mr Dudley’s inquest.
Yesterday many drivers who use the A449 highlighted the dangers of the road on social media.
Devya Athwal posted: "So so sad, I was there last night and we were all praying as CPR was being performed on the man but sadly he didn't survive.
"WHEN are we going to have proper speed cameras on the stretch of A449 and traffic lights South Staffs council? It really needs to be addressed. We have lived on the road for 15 years and there have been too many fatalities on the road, as residents are crossing the road.
"You can hear the cars revving up from the top of the road and we live halfway down.This stretch is used as a race track daily. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families."
Tracy Tolley added: "That bend is lethal even if you drive within the speed limit. On the opposite carriageway it narrows to a single lane for the bend. Perhaps the authorities should consider that course if action.
"Very saddened to hear of fatalities and casualties. Prayers."
Calls have now been made for speed calming measures to be implemented on the road.
Ian Harris said: "Not too difficult for a car to lose control at any speed along that stretch of road. The Tarmac is rutted & draws a vehicle off line. It seriously needs addressing before more lives are lost.
"I feared the worst last night once I'd seen the air ambulance trying to land. Awful tragic news. My deepest condolences go out to their families."
Anyone with information should call police 101.
