Driver killed after car hits tree

The scene of the fatal crash at Brooke. Picture: Luke Powell (Image: Archant)

Emergency services were called to the scene on Norwich Road, in Brooke, at about 4.30am yesterday morning.

It is understood that a car left the road and hit a tree before catching fire.

A police sergeant at the scene confirmed one person died in the crash, and that only one vehicle was involved.

Norwich Road, which is the main route through the village, has been closed off to traffic between its junction with Entrance Lane and The Street.

Alan Nicholls, station manager with Norfolk fire service, said the car was on fire when crews arrived.

He said: 'The fire was extinguished and everything else since then has been in support of police.'

Fire crews from Earlham, Sprowston, Carrow and Wymondham were called to the incident shortly after 4.30am.

Police have since erected a forensics tent at the scene of the crash, which is on the village boundary.

The police cordon from Norwich Road, leading out of the village. Photo: Luke Powell (Image: Archant)

Roads policing sergeant Crittenden, who was at the scene this afternoon (Sunday, November 18), said: 'It is a single vehicle RTC. It is fatal.'

The stretch of Norwich Road where the crash happened is a 30mph zone and is next to the Brooke village sign.

A 66-year-old woman, who lives nearby, said: 'There is such an eerie atmosphere in the village today because we are used to hearing the rumble of traffic going past.

'We could even hear the children playing football from the park, and that never happens.

Norwich Road is closed at its junction with The Street. However, drivers who live in the village are being allowed in. Photo: Luke Powell (Image: Archant)

'It's ethereal because we know what has happened.'

Norwich Road is not expected to reopen for another few hours.

Brooke is located about seven miles south of Norwich, near Poringland.

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