Tractor driver ‘lucky to be alive’ after horror crash

A tractor driver is lucky to be alive after a three-vehicle horror crash involving a stolen RS Ford Focus.

The distinctive white Ford Focus RS Mk2 was in a serious collision with a green tractor and a blue Peugeot 207, in Great Barr, north-west Birmingham, West Midlands, on 1 June.

The tractor overturned in the collision and was seriously damaged after sliding on its side.

Warning: Video contains some swearing

Its windows smashed and glass showered on to the road.

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Incredibly, the tractor driver walked away from the wreckage.

He was treated by paramedics for cuts to his back and head, given pain relief and sent to Sandwell Hospital for further checks.

The driver of the blue Peugeot was uninjured.

Following the crash, the occupants of the stolen Ford fled the scene.

Police are still hunting for the offenders.

Eyewitnesses said the white Ford was travelling well in excess of 100mph when it collided with the tractor and Peugeot.

Am overturned tractor

Stolen Ford

Andrew Shaw, a plumber from Epsom, who owns the Ford, said it was stolen from The County Hotel in Walsall on 23 May – just two miles from the crash scene.

He told Birmingham Live: “I’ve lost my pride and joy, the car’s worth about £30,000 and, after spotting the video on Facebook last week, I knew straight away that it was my car.

“They’ve smashed into the car and probably used a sensory card, like a fob which has been copied to steal it.

“They also emptied the contents of my car and dumped it on a lady’s front garden nearby, who then called my office off the back of finding my work diary.”

An overturned tractor

He added: “I’ve worked so hard for it – you can’t have anything nice anymore. Not only that but the worst thing about it is they could easily have killed someone.

“The guy in the tractor is lucky to be alive. They clearly couldn’t handle the car and just ran off.”

Police appeal

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “We were called to reports of a multi-vehicle collision involving a tractor in Chapel Lane, Great Barr at about 12pm on Friday 1 June.

“We believe a number of people may have left the scene. Enquiries are ongoing.

“No one is believed to have suffered any serious injuries. If you have any information, please contact us on 101, quoting log number 1020 of 1 June.”