Chaos as metal rains on M6

This was the chaotic scene on the M6 in the Black Country today after a scrap lorry overturned on a motorway bridge, spewing metal pieces on to the road below.

Nobody was injured in the incident, which happened at junction 10 of the M6 for Walsall.

Click on the image on the right to see more pictures from the scene.

But it caused misery for motorists, with tailbacks of seven miles and delays of around 35 minutes as part of the northbound carriageway was closed.

Care worker Siobhan Feeny, aged 33, of Great Barr, who was caught up in the congestion said: "It took 30 minutes to get off the motorway at junction 10.

"As we queued on the roundabout to get back on again, you saw this lorry on its side with all kinds of metal spilled out, it was a spectacular sight.

"It there wasn't speed restrictions on the motorway, I'm sure someone would have been killed. It's a miracle no one was." Police, fire crews and Highways Agency teams were all called to the scene at around 9.40am today. A bridge inspector was also called to the scene to check the structure.

Jo Carroll, Highways Agency spokeswoman, said: "We are currently operating what we call an "up and over".

"The incident happened between the sliproads so we are taking traffic travelling northbound up and off the exit slip, round the circulatory road and back down the motorway."