Serious crash closes stretch of M6

A stretch of the M6 motorway has been closed after a serious collision, police said.

The southbound carriageway of the road, between junctions 5 and 4a, was shut after a crash involving a number of vehicles including a horse box.

It is believed that up to three vehicles were involved in the crash, which happened at 2.25pm.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said two people were airlifted to hospital from the scene of the crash.

A spokeswoman said: "On arrival at the scene, crews found a number of vehicles that had been in collision, including a van, horsebox and a lorry.

"Two patients were treated at the scene who were believed to have been out of their vehicles at the time of the incident.

"The first patient, a woman, believed to be from the horsebox, was treated for a potentially serious head injury.

"The woman was fully immobilised before being airlifted by the Midlands Air Ambulance to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for further assessment and treatment.

"The second patient, a man believed to be from the van, was treated at the scene for serious head and chest injuries.

"Due to the nature of the incident, that patient was given an anaesthetic at the scene by the doctor on board the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.

"The casualty was airlifted to University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire for further assessment and treatment.

"The motorway was shut in both directions to allow the air ambulances to land safely at the scene."

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "Drivers are advised to avoid the area if at all possible. The northbound carriageway is currently still running slowly."

PA