A pedestrian in his 60s has tragically died after being struck by a lorry on the M6 motorway near Birmingham, following a vehicle breakdown. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon, leading to the arrest of a man on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Details of the Incident
Emergency services were called to the southbound carriageway of the M6 between junctions 6 and 7, near Birmingham, at approximately 2:30 PM. Reports indicate that the victim had pulled over after his car experienced a mechanical failure. As he exited the vehicle, he was hit by a passing lorry. Paramedics attended the scene, but despite their efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Arrest Made
West Midlands Police have confirmed that a man has been arrested in connection with the incident. The suspect, whose identity has not been released, is currently in custody and is being questioned. Authorities are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward to assist with the investigation.
Sergeant Paul Hughes of the West Midlands Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit stated: "This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the family of the man who lost his life. We are working diligently to establish the full circumstances surrounding the collision. We urge anyone who was in the area at the time and may have seen what happened or has dashcam footage to contact us."
Road Closures and Disruption
The southbound M6 was closed between junctions 6 and 7 for several hours to allow for forensic examination and recovery of the vehicle. Traffic was diverted via the A38, causing significant delays in the area. The motorway has since reopened, but drivers are advised to check for any residual congestion.
Safety Reminder
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by motorists when their vehicles break down on busy motorways. Authorities advise drivers to always pull over as far as possible from moving traffic, turn on hazard warning lights, and stay inside the vehicle with seatbelts fastened until help arrives, if it is safe to do so. If it is necessary to exit the vehicle, they should do so on the side away from traffic and wait behind a safety barrier.
West Midlands Police continue to investigate and have asked anyone with information to contact them via 101, quoting log 2686 of 12 November.
