A young man from the local area, who was seriously injured in a road traffic collision on Friday, November 6th, at Much Birch, between Ross-on-Wye and Hereford died in hospital on Monday, November 9th.

Tributes have been flooding in for the victim who has been named locally as Ivan Thomas Wemyss, also known as Ian and ‘Devo’.

Jacqui Warner posted on the Ross Gazette Facebook page “RIP young man. My thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends at this awfully tragic time.”

Kate McKinlay wrote:?“R.I.P. Drago, the Mandarinstone boys miss you xx”

Friends of Ivan, who loved cars and driving, gathered in Ross to take part in a convoy which made its way to Monmouth and Hereford on Monday evening, November 9th, before arriving at the scene of the crash in Much Birch, where friends left floral tributes and messages.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the collision which took place on Friday, November 6th, at 9:23pm near to the Pilgrim Hotel on the A49, Much Birch. The incident involved a white Ford Fiesta and a grey Mercedes.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to reports of a two car RTC on the A49 at Much Birch, Hereford shortly before 9.30pm on Friday. Two ambulances and a paramedic area support officer were first at the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Two cars had been involved in a significant collision. A man and woman from one car had managed to get out of their vehicle whilst the single occupant of the second car was still inside and in a bad way.

“Ambulance staff and firefighters at the scene quickly pulled the man from the wreckage as a quick assessment found he was unconscious and in need of immediate medical intervention. He had sustained a serious head injury and a pelvic injury and was transferred to the ambulance so that crews could begin a range of treatment before heading to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham on blue lights and sirens.”

Two doctors and a critical care paramedic were called upon to meet the ambulance crew whilst en route to A&E at the hospital.

One of the occupants of the second car suffered serious back injuries and both patients were taken to Hereford County Hospital.

The fire and police services were also involved in the incident and the A49 was blocked in both directions. There were closures at junction B4348 and A466 and the roads reopened at 4am.

Police are keen to speak to anybody who may have witnessed the collision or saw either of the vehicles prior to the incident. Anyone with any information should call police on the non-emergency 101 number quoting incident reference number 742s of Friday 6th November.