ONE person has died and three others required hospital treatment following a serious crash on the M42 last night (Sunday).
Four cars and a lorry were involved in the collision on the M42 southbound between junctions 2 (Redditch) and 1 (Bromsgrove) at 8.55pm which resulted in three of the cars setting fire and eight patients in total for ambulance staff to assist.
Two ambulances and two paramedic officers attended the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Three of the cars were well alight when crews arrived.
“The fire service worked quickly to extinguish the fires but upon doing so, a patient was discovered in one of the cars.
“Unfortunately, it immediately became apparent nothing could be done to save them and they were confirmed deceased.
“An off-duty technician, who was in traffic just behind the accident, immediately went to assist upon seeing the collision and with the help of bystanders, managed to pull a woman from one of the burning cars.
“She was treated for minor burns and am arm injury and taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. The quick-thinking actions of those who rescued the woman undoubtedly saved her from suffering far more significant injuries.
“From the same car, the driver, a man believed to be in his 50s, managed to get himself out of the vehicle. He was treated for minor injuries and taken to the same hospital.
“A driver of another car, a man, was treated for a knee injury and taken to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch for further treatment.
“Four other patients, including the driver of the lorry, were assessed and discharged at the scene with minor or no injuries.”
The collision has meant emergency road surface repairs have had to be carried out.
After the fire service extinguished the blaze, the police conducted an investigation which ran into the early hours of this morning (Monday).
Highways England Traffic officers worked through the night to support the police and fire crews by managing and directing traffic.
Having assessed the scene while police investigations were still underway, it was established that the fire caused substantial damage to lane 1 and the hard shoulder.
Those works began about 5am when the police investigation was complete.
A suggested diversion route, Highways England says, is to leave at Junction 2 following the black hollow circle symbol, via the southbound A441 to the A448 at Redditch, before taking the A448 (Bromsgrove Highway) westbound to Bromsgrove before finally taking the A38 southbound to re-join the M5 at J5 (Droitwich).
Drivers may wish to consider alternative routes and should allow extra time for their journey, Highways England added.
