Delays after car parts lorry overturns leaving M5
Rush hour motorists were caught up in miles of tailbacks after an articulated lorry toppled over on a roundabout.
The white 39-ton Mercedes lorry, carrying car parts, jackknifed and fell onto its side as it exited the northbound carriageway of the M5 onto the roundabout and headed towards West Bromwich on the A41.
Ambulance, firefighters and police were called to the scene and the A41 Expressway West Bromwich-bound carriageway was closed to traffic.
Traffic backed up on the northbound M5 slip road at junction one, and there were long delays on the A41 in both directions, along Kenrick Way and in and around the town. The northbound M5 slip road was closed by police, to avoid more traffic congestion.
The accident happened at around 2pm yesterday but the scene was not cleared until 10.30pm. The driver of the lorry was treated by paramedics at the scene, and then take to Sandwell Hospital for treatment to minor injuries.
A white van which had pulled over to avoid the lorry and help the driver became stuck in the mud and had to be pulled clear by fire crews. Watch commander Trevor Parkes, from West Bromwich fire station, said two fire engines attended. He added: "When we arrived the driver had already been helped from his vehicle by passing motorists.
"We assisted him until the paramedics arrived. We then made the lorry safe, and waited for the recovery teams to arrive."
West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman Claire Thomas said the driver was able to walk away from the accident and were released after hospital treatment for his injuries.
Specialist equipment was brought in to right the lorry and remove if from the road.
