Three die in crashes
A MAN has been arrested following a five-vehicle crash on the M6 on Wednesday morning in which one driver died.
The fatal collision occurred just before 2am between junctions two and three on the northbound carriageway.
Warwickshire Police arrested a 33-year-old man from St Helen’s on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
He has since been released by investigating officers pending further enquiries.
Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance Critical Care Car attended the scene.
The driver of a car, a 38-year-old man, was confirmed dead at the scene and two people were taken to hospital with leg injuries.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find multiple vehicles involved including lorries, a van and a car.
“Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent that the occupant of the car was unable to be saved and they were confirmed dead at the scene.
“One of the lorry drivers, a man in his 30s, and the van driver, a man in his 50s, were both treated for leg injuries and taken to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire on the same ambulance.”
Emergency services also attended a second crash less than an hour later which involved multiple lorries, also on the northbound carriageway, between junctions one at Rugby and two for the M69.
One ambulance attended the scene but luckily there were no injuries reported.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “One of the lorries had left the carriageway following the incident.
“However, thankfully the two drivers were both uninjured and were able to be discharged at the scene.”
A full road closure was put in place on the M6 northbound between junctions one and three.
The carriageway between junctions one and two reopened shortly after 9am and the stretch between junctions two and three reopened at around 10.30am after a clean up and gritting.
Drivers were diverted away from the motorway at junction one near Rugby .
It caused chaos on several roads around Hinckley as drivers avoided the closure leading to heavy congestion on the A444, A5, M69 and A45 during rush hour.
Long tailbacks were reported stretching along Rugby Road back into Hinckley Town centre past Lower Bond Street as traffic queued to get ontot he A5.
Further delays were caused when two lanes of the M69 south were closed because of a further smash involving a HGV.
In the incident on minor injuries were reported.
The M6 was closed for more than eight hours in total while officers investigated and Warwickshire are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Sergeant Jem Mountford said: “Warwickshire Police was called at 1.43am on Wednesday 14 February to a report of a collision involving a car, a van and three lorries on the northbound carriageway of the M6.
“The collision occurred between junctions two and three. Officers would like to hear from anyone who saw the collision or saw any of the vehicles in the moments before the collision.”
Anyone with information can call Warwickshire Police on 101 quoting reference number 12 of 14 February 2018. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.