M6 opens again after crash shuts motorway and triggers Easter getaway misery

A number of vehicles were involved in the M6 accident, with drivers told to avoid the route as all three lanes were shut between 10a and 11.

A car was left facing at right angles to the traffic after a crash involving two cars and a lorry.

It happened in the northbound M6 motorway just after the slip road from Hilton Park services.

An ambulance and a paramedic area support officer were sent to the scene after no fewer than five 999 emergency calls at about 12.45pm today.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "The incident happened as a lorry came out of the services.

"When crews arrived they found a white Mercedes car at right angles to the traffic with significant rear and side damage, a lorry with front end damage and a second car with rear end damage.

"The driver of the Mercedes was initially trapped. Firefighters worked with ambulance staff to free the man, who had minor facial injuries and broken right collar bone.

"Once released, he was fully assessed and treated at the scene before being taken to Walsall Manor Hospital.

"The driver of the other car, a man, was shaken but otherwise unhurt. A rear wheel had come off his car in the crash.

"The lorry driver was unhurt and was able to continue on his journey."

Images from Twitter appeared to show people getting out of their vehicles, while another report said people had been reversing on the motorway.

Just before 3pm, the motorway was fully opened again.

This evening a person threatening to jump off a gantry on the M5 caused delays and blockages.

Traffic was affected between Junction 1 near West Bromwich and the M6 Junction 8 just after 5pm.

The M5 reopened fully just after 6.30pm.

The Central Motorway Police Group tweeted: "Person who was threatening to jump off a gantry now getting help. The M5 was reopened fully in both directions.

"The incident was resolved and the carriageway reopened. Thank you for your patience."

Tweets from the M6 crash:

West Midlands Police spokeswoman Gina Lycett said police were called at 12.50pm.

She added: "There are three cars involved and there are a number of injuries, but they are not believed to be serious."

Twitter user Jack_Pipe told the Express & Star he had been at a standstill for the best part of an hour. He reported seeing two fire engines, two ambulances and two police cars heading to the crash.

Earlier, two people were injured in a crash between three vehicles on the motorway through Staffordshire.

Emergency services were called to the scene at around 9.20am to the crash on the northbound between junction 13 for Stafford and junction 14 for Stone.

Two lanes were closed on the section where paramedics treat those injured.

Delays of around a hour hit as queues stretching back towards junction 12 for Cannock.

And there were more delays on the Midland motorway network when a lorry overturned at J10 of the M42 in Warwickshire