Auxerre Avenue: Major incident as crash causes gas leak

A 100-metre cordon was put up on Auxerre Avenue and residents were evacuated following the collision on Saturday afternoon (July 27).

A red Range Rover had collided into a semi-detached house which ruptured an external gas box, leading to a leak.

The driver of the 4x4 was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital due to suffering a suspected medical episode. No other people were injured in the incident.

West Mercia Police declared a major incident and worked with a range of partners including Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, West Midlands Ambulance Service, Cadent, Worcestershire Highways and Redditch Borough Council to resolve the incident.

The gas leak was later fixed and the major incident status was rescinded.

Inspector Richard Field said: “I would like to thank the local residents for their patience while we resolved this incident with our partners.

"The safety of the local residents was of our paramount concern, which led to a cordon being put in place.

"I would like to record my thanks to the attending emergency services and the duty officer at Redditch Council for their swift response to this incident to ensure it is resolved with no long-lasting impact to the wider community or road network.”

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service received a call at 1.54pm and sent out fire appliances from Redditch, Bromsgrove and Droitwich stations.

A fire brigade spokesperson said: "When they arrived they found a car had hit a house and ruptured the incoming gas supply that was severely leaking".

A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We were called to Auxerre Avenue, Redditch at 1.52pm on Saturday to reports of a car which had collided with a house. One ambulance attended the scene.

"The driver, a man, was out of the vehicle and was assessed by ambulance staff before being conveyed to Worcestershire Royal Hospital for further checks.

"No one was injured in the house".