Coffin rescued after hearse on the way to a funeral caught fire

A family on their way to a funeral was hit with yet more tragedy as the hearse carrying their loved one went up in flames.

The fire ripped through the hearse at around 1.20pm on Monday in Church Stretton, Shropshire, completely destroying the car.

Fire crews and brave passersby managed to retrieve the coffin before the flames fully took hold.

Dramatic pictures show the burnt-out hearse on the side of the road – and the damage looks completely unrepairable.

A spokesperson from Church Stretton Fire Station said on Monday: ‘We attended a vehicle fire today which involved a hearse carrying a coffin to a funeral.

‘Staff and public managed to get the coffin out of the vehicle before that became involved, so well done to everyone there.

‘Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the family, which would have had a sad enough day as it is without this additional sad news added to the day.’

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

The fire service was praised for their response to the blaze, with Jacki Taylor saying: ‘Well done to our brilliant crew at Church Stretton Fire Station.’

Colette Morris said: ‘Thank you to everyone who helped sort this out. Glad you were able to do so safely.’

And Gary Simpson added: ‘How stressful for the family, but well done to staff, public and responders for averting something not thinkable.’

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