AN ELDERLY couple who were pulled to safety from their burning vehicle following a four-car smash later died in hospital.

The collision, involving a red Ford C Max, a silver BMW, a black Citroen Picasso and a grey Skoda Octavia estate car, occurred on the A49 at Bayston Hill at 2.35pm on September 13.

The elderley couple in the Citroen, from Cheshire, were pulled from their vehicle by members of the public after it caught fire.

The man in his 90s was taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital but died on September 14. The woman died in hospital on the evening of the collision.

A man and woman in the BMW, from Church Stretton, who were travelling from Bayston Hill towards Church Stretton, and the male driver of the Skoda, from Lancashire, who was travelling in the opposite direction, were not injured.

An elderly couple in the Ford C Max, from Craven Arms, who were travelling towards Bayston Hill from Church Stretton, suffered fractures and were taken by air ambulance to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.

They were trapped in their vehicle for nearly 30 minutes and also suffered smoke inhalation.

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "The elderly patients were immobilised with the use of a neck collar and spinal board before being conveyed by air ambulances to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

“The Queen Elizabeth Hospital was pre-alerted to the life-threatening condition of the patients.

“Two further patients were conveyed by land ambulances to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

“A male and female were treated for abdominal injuries and a leg injury.”

Two ambulances, an incident support officer and two Midland Air Ambulances from Cosford and Staffordshire attended the scene and road was closed until midnight.

Witnesses should contact police in Shrewsbury on 0300 333 3000.