Dozens involved in pile-ups as ice bites on Midlands roads

Jan 1 2009 by Emma McKinney, Birmingham Mail

MIDLAND motorists were today warned of more deadly fog patches to come after a string of crashes involving 20 cars in dreadful conditions.

Paramedics said it was a miracle that no one was killed in the three pile-ups which left dozens injured and roads closed for five hours.

The Midlands has had freezing temperatures – the lowest was at Coleshill at a chilling -5.5°C.

As police today blamed the crashes on treacherous driving conditions brought about by mist and plummeting temperatures, emergency workers were praised for their professionalism in handling the chaos on a mile-long stretch of the A435 in Gorcott Hill, near Redditch.

In the first accident two cars collided at about 8.30am yesterday, leaving a woman and baby needing treatment for minor injuries and a man in the second vehicle suffering back and neck injuries.

Paramedics at the scene watched on in horror as a second serious smash involving up to 16 cars unfolded nearby, with vehicles flipping on to their roofs and others careering into hedges and ditches. The paramedics immediately called for back-up while police and firefighters worked to free people from the wreckages.

Nearby pub The Holly Bush was transformed into a makeshift treatment centre, with about 20 people being ferried by hospital minibus from the crash scene to the pub, where they sheltered from the cold and were given hot drinks and food while paramedics treated them for minor injuries, including stitches for small cuts.