M6 crash in Birmingham causes huge delays
A spokesman for the Highways Agency said police had to close the motorway to allow ambulance and fire crews to deal with the casualties and to clear room for the air ambulance to land.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said the most seriously injured casualty was trapped in a vehicle for around 40 minutes on the southbound carriageway.
He suffered pelvic, leg and hand injuries and was flown by police helicopter to Selly Oak Hospital in a critical condition. The others hurt were five men and a woman.
They were taken to Sandwell General Hospital, Walsall Manor and City Hospital in Birmingham.
Ambulance bosses urged the public to only dial 999 for genuine emergencies as the already-stretched service’s response times would be delayed by the crash.
Chief executive Anthony Marsh said: “The service was already under severe pressure and this crash will only make matters worse because of the traffic congestion slowing our vehicles down.
“We would appeal to the public to consider whether they really need an ambulance before they dial 999.”
* A HGV driver from Holland has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and is being interviewed by police.
