A man died this week after his car hit a tree next to a road in Well End which has been the subject of a long-running traffic-calming campaign.

The man, who was in his early 20s and from St Albans, died on Tuesday afternoon after the Vauxhall Nova he was driving went off Well End Road at 7.30am that day.

He died after being taken to the Royal London Hospital by an ambulance service helicopter when firefighters had cut him out of the wreckage.

Two years ago Well End Road Safety Group was formed to push for measures to slow traffic, and the speed limit there was cut to 30mph last year.

The Vauxhall Nova was travelling from Shenley when the accident occurred, and police are appealing for witnesses to help them establish what happened.

A police spokesperson said: "The Nova was following a Vauxhall Cavalier, which pulled over to let it pass, before it went around a bend and lost control."

Following the crash a passing motorist, who had been trained in first aid as a soldier, assisted the victim until three fire engines and an ambulance arrived.

Fourteen firefighters from Borehamwood, Radlett and Potters Bar spent an hour-and-a-half cutting the man free, using hydraulic equipment.

Due to the severity of the victim's condition, the ambulance service called a helicopter, which landed on the front lawn of a house opposite the scene.

Station Commander Danny Rickett, of Borehamwood Fire Station, paid tribute to the efforts of all of the emergency services staff who attended the scene.

"The roof had to be cut off the car and it was extremely difficult to remove the man, but the team work from everyone was spot on," he said.

After the accident Councillor Rodney Saunders, who is chairman of the road safety group, pledged to continue pushing for a lower speed limit for London Road.

He is concerned that, because traffic can travel at 60mph between Shenley and Well End, vehicles are not slowing down to honour the 30mph limit in Well End Road.

"The speed limit in London Road is the same as the A1, which is ridiculous the borough council should take the lead in reducing speeds in country lanes," he said.

Well End Road Safety Group was launched in response to the number of accidents on the road: there has been at least eight in the last five years.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to contact the police on 01707 638708.