Chaos as driver killed in M5 crash

Nov 3 2005 By Steve Johnson, Birmingham Mail

THOUSANDS of motorists faced traffic chaos today after a motorist was killed in a motorway smash.

The 42-year-old man died when he lost control of his Mercedes Sprinter van on the southbound carriageway of the M5, between Junction 1 at West Bromwich and Junction 2 at Oldbury at around 2.10am.

The man, who has not been named, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident caused problems for almost five hours, with traffic tailing back miles to the M6 link.

Police had to close the southbound section of the motorway and also shut off the outside lane of the northbound section.

Many motorists were forced to leave the motorway at Oldbury, which caused widespread problems in the Churchbridge area.

Hundreds of other drivers chose to avoid the motorway altogether, causing further problems, with long tailbacks at Burnt Tree Island at Dudley.

Witnesses tothe crash were urged to call motorway police on 0121 626 1285.

A police spokesman said that the motorway was not fully open until 6.45 am.