One dead, several injured in spate of crashes

Friday, 20 November 2009

A YOUNG Watchet woman was killed and several people were badly injured in a spate of car accidents across the district.
Gemma Bate, aged 20, of Woodland Road, died when she was in collision with a Peugeot 306 car as she walked along the A358 on the outskirts of Williton on Sunday night.
The accident happened close to the entrance to Torweston Farm, Sampford Brett, at 8.30pm.
Miss Bate was walking towards Williton when she collided with a vehicle being driven in the same direction by an 18-year-old woman.
It is believed she was trapped underneath the vehicle for some time before being taken to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, where she died shortly afterwards.
Police have appealed for witnesses to the accident or anyone who may have information to help their inquiries.
Earlier on Sunday, firefighters from Nether Stowey, Bridgwater and Taunton were called to a two-vehicle accident on the A39 near Nether Stowey.
The incident happened at 4.30pm and two people were trapped inside one of the vehicles.
Crews had to remove the roof of the car to reach the casualties, who were removed on spinal boards and taken to hospital by ambulance.
The third accident involved two cars and a bus on the A39 in Bilbrook, close to a turning to Old Cleeve at about 2.50pm on Monday.
Witnesses described a collision between two cars travelling in the same direction before one of the vehicles then collided head-on with a First bus travelling in the opposite direction.
Firefighters from Taunton, Minehead and Williton helped paramedics rescue one of the car drivers, Richard Fletcher, of Old Cleeve, who was flown to hospital by air ambulance.
As the Free Press went to print yesterday afternoon (Thursday), Mr Fletcher was about to undergo surgery at Exeter Hospital. It is understood that he suffered head and leg injuries.
A number of other people, including bus passengers, were also treated for injuries at the scene.
Anyone with information about any of the incidents should contact the police collision investigation unit on 0845 4567000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Photo: Neil Pearce

---

Share on Facebook

Be the first to comment using the form below.

Submit your comment below :
Your Name (required) :

Your Email*(required) :

Your Location (required) :

Your Comment (required) :

Maximum Number of characters for this text box is 400.

You have 400 characters remaining for your description...

I agree to the terms and conditions and comment rules (required) :

The West Somerset Free Press may not publish all comments.
Your comments may be published on any Tindle Newspaper Ltd. media.
*Your email address will not be displayed.

Enter the code as it is shown below (required):