IN PICTURES: M6 closed and three injured after lorry smashes through central reservation hitting car and van

The lorry crossed over onto the northbound carriage between junction six for Spaghetti junction and junction seven for Great Barr.

The motorway was initially blocked in both directions following the crash which happened at around 10.35am.

Steve Parry, a West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman, said: "It was reported that an articulated lorry crossed the motorway central reservation and collided with a van and car. The first medical responder on scene was an off-duty paramedic from the East Midlands Ambulance Service who found the van driver trapped in his vehicle. He had to be released with the help of the fire service.

"A man in his forties driving the van suffered chest, back and pelvic injuries together with a fractured arm. He was immobilised with the use of a neck collar and spinal board and given pain relief. He was taken by land ambulance to the trauma unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital with a doctor also travelling.

"The lorry driver was treated for chest pain and taken by ambulance to the City Hospital for further assessment and treatment.

"A man travelling as a passenger in the car received minor injuries and was taken to Sandwell Hospital for assessment."

The motorway reopened around 6pm.