Woman taken to hospital with serious injuries after falling off a bridge on M42
A woman has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after she fell from a bridge on the M42 motorway near Junction 5.
An air ambulance was called to the scene, along with two ambulances, two paramedics officers and a doctor from Mercia Accident Rescue Service (MARS), and the woman was given trauma care before being taken by land ambulance to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the northbound carriageway of the M42 near junction 5 at 12.11pm. Two ambulances, two paramedic officers, a BASICS doctor from Mercia Accident Rescue Service (MARS) and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham with a doctor and paramedic on board attended the scene.
"Crews arrived to find a pedestrian, a woman, who had sustained serious injuries. The woman was given trauma care on scene before being conveyed by land ambulance on blue lights to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. The air ambulance medics travelled with the ambulance crew to assist with treatment and monitoring of the patient."
The were delays of around 60 minutes and five-mile tail backs on the M42 near Birmingham Airport following the incident.
The motorway was temporarily closed in both directions at Junction 5, but it has since re-opened.
A statement from West Midlands Police said: "We were called after a woman fell from a bridge above the M42, near junction 5, just after midday.
"She has been taken to hospital with serious injuries.
"The motorway was temporarily shut but has since re-opened."
An air ambulance attended the scene, as well as Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG), West Midlands Ambulance Service and National Highways Traffic officers.
Traffic was being diverted via the exit and entry slip roads of Junction 5, which caused delays.
National Highways said: "There remains long delays of up to 60 minutes, with congestion of approx. 5 miles on approach both ways, please plan ahead if you're travelling in the area.
The long delays affected routes approaching Birmingham Airport, with travellers advised to allow extra time for their journeys.
