A car crash at Fromes Hill has claimed another life, after a passenger died of his injuries in hospital.

Both male victims will be formally identified at an inquest opening today (Friday) in Hereford.

Coroner's officer Maggie Oliver said the inquest into Thursday's crash will be adjourned pending further inquiries.

The incident was at 6.30am on the A4103 Hereford to Worcester Road and involved a Toyota Yaris and Scania articulated lorry.

Two men and two boys, aged four and eight, had to be cut from the wreckage by firefighters. The driver, reportedly from the Droitwich area, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The children were related to both the adults in the car, according to police. The older boy suffered two broken legs and a head injury, the younger had a seatbelt injury.

The second man was taken by air ambulance to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham. His condition was critical and he died later that afternoon.

Family liaison officers from West Mercia Constabulary are comforting bereaved families of both men.

Following the accident, a man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been released on bail, while investigations continue.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward. The accident was close to Leighton Court, on the Hereford side of Fromes Hill. It closed the road for almost nine hours.

Anyone with information should phone the road policing team at Hereford Police Station on 08457 444888.

n A 25-year-old man was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation, following a serious car fire in Lady Somerset Drive, Ledbury, on Friday.

One fire engine from Ledbury attended shortly before 3.30pm and firefighters found one car well alight. The crew used two sets of breathing apparatus to deal with the same choking smoke that had affected the man.

One hose reel jet was used to put out the blaze.