M6 tragedy causes chaos
A man was killed in an accident that closed a stretch of the M6 today and also left thousands of Christmas travellers caught up in lengthy jams across the region.
The man, in his 60s and from Halesowen, was killed instantly after the green Mercedes saloon car he was driving crashed into the back of a lorry between Junction 11 at Wolverhampton and Junction 10a southbound at 7.15am.
The accident happened between the entrance and exit sliproads of Hilton Park Services, Cannock.
Fire crews from Cannock, Stafford and West Midlands battled to cut the victim from the wreckage underneath the back of the red and blue ERF heavy goods vehicle.
Paramedics were also on the scene but the man could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The road was closed for three hours with motorists heading south facing five-mile tailbacks stacking up as far back as Stafford, sparking frustration for people battling to get away this morning for the festive break or trying to get into Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Walsall for last-minute Christmas shopping.
Diversions were put in place by the Highways Agency along the A460 Cannock Road and onto Junction 1 of the M54 where traffic rejoined the M6 southbound at Junction 10a.
This was while police officers from Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) and specialists from Staffordshire Police investigated the scene.
Police are appealing for witnesses of the crash to come forward and help them with their enquiries.
Anyone with information on the incident should get in touch with CMPG on 0121 626 1285.
By Dawn Fellowes
