POLICE are seeking information about a crash which killed a pensioner on the A449 near Kidderminster.

The incident happened near the Mare and Colt pub at about 11.45am on Tuesday and involved a white Citroen Nemo panel van which was travelling towards Kidderminster and a grey DAF oil tanker which was heading the opposite way.

The van was wedged under the front section of the tanker as a result of the collision its driver, a 71-year-old man from the Brierley Hill area, had to be freed by the Fire Service.

He was flown from the scene by air ambulance but died shortly after arrival at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

Collision investigators were sent to the scene and the A449 was closed between the Hoo Farm industrial estate and the junction with Droitwich Road, resulting in traffic congestion.

The road was cleared and reopened at around 5.20pm.

PC Lee Baker said: “This was a nasty collision which has tragically resulted in the death of a man. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.

"We have begun an investigation into the circumstances and are keen to hear from any witnesses we have not yet spoken to who either saw what happened or noticed either of the vehicles involved on that road beforehand.”

The Worcestershire Coroner has been informed and an inquest will open in due course and the tanker driver, from Gosport in Hampshire, was uninjured.

Anyone with information should call PC Baker, quoting incident reference 221-S-250214, on the non-emergency number 101.