The collision happened on the busy route for holiday traffic heading to Mid and North Wales from the West Midlands – and police are extending their appeal throughout the region.
The woman who died was a front seat passenger in a grey Volkswagen Golf which was involved in a collision with a silver Toyota Verso at Montford Bridge shortly after 5pm on Saturday.
A 78-year-old man who was driving the Golf and a nine-year-old girl passenger were airlifted to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire with serious injuries.
Two passengers from the Toyota – a woman and a six-year-old boy – were taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. The male driver was unhurt.
Police Constable Colin Robinson, of West Mercia Police, said: “We are continuing to investigate the circumstances leading up to this tragedy.
“The Golf was travelling southwards towards Shrewsbury and the Toyota in the opposite direction towards Oswestry when they were involved in a head-on collision.
“It sadly resulted in an elderly woman being killed and four others receiving various injuries.
“The collision happened at a time when the A5 was busy with holiday traffic, much of which would have been travelling from the West Midlands. I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision or either vehicle being driven immediately beforehand, to contact Shrewsbury police station on 0300-333-3000.
“Anyone with other information which might assist the investigation, should also get in touch.”
A post mortem was due to be held today or tomorrow on the woman who died. She is not expected to be formally identified until later in the week.
The Shropshire coroner Mr John Ellery has been informed and an inquest will be opened in due course.
Shropshire Live is regulated by