IN PICTURES: Dramatic 'rescue' sees scaffolder winched down from M5
A rescue team were quick to climb scaffolding underneath the M5 as part of a training exercise to 'rescue a stranded workman'.
Pictures posted on social media showed firemen mounting the steel structure in a bid to release the scaffolder in a set time limit.
He was then lowered down in a stretcher from beneath the structure.
West Midlands Fire Service said that crews took the opportunity to carry out the exercise while the scaffolding was in place as part of the M5 works.
Shammi Rana, technical rescue advisor and red watch commander, tweeted about the incident which took place on Monday afternoon.
He said: "Great multi-agency collaboration with @WMASHART @TechRescueWMFS rescue of stranded scaffolder beneath the M5 motorway @WestMidsFire"
It comes as extensive works continue on the M5 - with commuters left facing daily tailbacks of more than an hour.
The project to repair Oldbury viaduct was stepped up a gear earlier this week, with a contraflow system now in place.
All traffic has been moved onto the northbound carriageway between junctions one and two, with two lanes running in each direction.
The motorway has also been cut to two lanes from junction three at Halesowen to limit the amount of vehicles approaching the roadworks zone.
The scheme is due to last until the end of next year and motorists have been warned to avoid the area if possible.
Sandwell Council leader Steve Eling said it was a concern if the work was going to affect people 'going about their daily business'.
On Monday morning, drivers faced delays of more than half an hour yesterday morning, with the roadworks scheme between junctions one and two for West Bromwich and Oldbury also impacting on the Birmingham New Road, where delays stretched back to Tividale.
