A 46-YEAR-old man has died following a crash on the A49 south of Hereford. 

A 4x4 and a tractor pulling a trailer with hay on it were involved in a crash near to the Axe and Cleaver in Much Birch on the A49 at around 9.45pm last night.

The road is closed in both directions.

Police said the man was declared dead at the scene and his next of kin has been informed.

A 34-year-old woman who was a passenger in the car was taken to hospital with serious facial injuries. Her injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

The road will remain closed until early afternoon and people are advised to find an alternative route.

Two ambulances and a paramedic officer were sent after the alert was raised at around 9.45pm.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman: “On arrival, ambulance staff found the 4×4 on fire with a hay bale also on fire.

“The man driving the 4×4 was confirmed dead at the scene.

“A 34-year-old woman, who was the front seat passenger in the 4×4, had been able to get out of the vehicle and was treated for facial injuries at the scene before being taken to Hereford County Hospital.

“The tractor driver, a 49-year-old man, was clearly distressed but was uninjured and didn’t want to go to A+E.”

The crash took place between Bryn Garth and Much Birch. 

Investigation will get underway when deemed safe to do so and the road surface will need repairing.

The road is closed in both directions between the A466 and B4348, diversions in place.

Diversion: Via Monmouth on the A466 and A40

The crash happened 200 yards away from the pub in the Hereford direction.

Witness Colin Lewis arrived on the scene around two minutes after the crash happened.

He said: “It was quite horrific to be quite honest. There was a girl outside the car screaming – it was a scream I hadn’t heard before. I can’t describe it. It made me think somebody was trapped in the car. I was hearing her voice all night – I didn’t get to sleep. As soon as I saw it I called the fire brigade.”

An eye witness, who did not wish to be named, who was second on the scene on the Ross side said: "We tried to get as close as possible. We were within 20 yards but the fire was too intense."

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call 101 and quote incident 896s of 28 August 2017.