Major M5 Collision Closes Lanes During Rush Hour
A serious collision on the M5 motorway during Thursday morning's rush hour resulted in significant delays and potentially life-changing injuries for one driver. The incident, which involved a van and a car, occurred on the northbound carriageway between junction 6 for Worcester and junction 5 for Wychbold in Worcestershire.
Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 6.40am on Thursday, November 27, after reports of a collision that caused a van to overturn and land on its side. The force of the impact left the vehicle in a dangerous position, requiring immediate closure of all four lanes on this busy stretch of motorway.
Emergency Response and Injuries
West Midlands Ambulance Service deployed significant resources to the incident, sending an ambulance, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car from Strensham. Upon arrival, crews discovered the male van driver who had sustained potentially serious injuries in the collision.
Paramedics provided immediate treatment at the scene before transporting the man to Worcester Royal Hospital for further medical attention. The precise nature of his injuries hasn't been disclosed, though authorities confirmed they were significant enough to warrant hospital conveyance.
Travel Chaos and Recovery Operation
The collision caused immediate disruption to Thursday morning commuters, with National Highways reporting seven miles of congestion and delays of approximately 90 minutes above usual journey times. The initial closure of all four lanes created substantial tailbacks during one of the busiest travel periods.
In a subsequent update, West Midlands National Highways confirmed that lanes 3 and 4 had reopened, while lanes 1 and 2 remained closed to allow recovery vehicles to right the overturned van and clear debris from the carriageway. The recovery operation required careful coordination to ensure the safety of workers and minimise further disruption to motorists.
Commuters faced extended journey times throughout the morning rush hour, with many seeking alternative routes through Worcestershire. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of motorway collisions and the importance of maintaining safe driving distances, particularly during busy periods.
