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M6 motorway closed after pile-up Driver arrested after M6 pile-up
(about 3 hours later)
A lorry driver has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving following a pile-up on the M6 which left one man critically ill. A Dutch lorry driver is being held on suspicion of dangerous driving after a pile-up on the M6 in Birmingham left another HGV driver critically ill.
Seven people were taken to hospital after the crash at 0540 GMT between Spaghetti Junction and Great Barr. The man, from Preston, Lancashire, and six others were hurt in the crash, which happened at 0540 GMT between Spaghetti Junction and Great Barr.
Two lorries crashed on the northbound carriageway before one crossed over the central reservation and overturned. It was then hit by several vehicles. The motorway was shut for several hours but has since reopened northbound.
The M6 is shut between junctions 6 and 7 northbound and 8 to 6 southbound. Their HGVs collided on the northbound carriageway before one crossed over the central reservation and overturned.
One man was airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital by police helicopter after suffering multiple injuries to his leg, hand and pelvis. It was then hit by several vehicles.
Trapped motoristsTrapped motorists
The motorway remains shut between junctions 8 and 6 southbound and is expected to be closed until at least 1900 GMT, West Midlands Police said.
The outside lane is expected to remain closed for longer because the central reservation needs to be repaired. Motorists have been advised to avoid the area if possible.
The injured lorry driver, a man in his 40s, was airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital by police helicopter after suffering multiple injuries to his leg, hand and pelvis.
Five men and a woman suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.Five men and a woman suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.
The southbound carriageway of the motorway will be shut until 1900 GMT and the northbound carriageway until mid-afternoon, the Highways Agency said. The crash caused major congestion on the M6, M5 and M42 and the Highways Agency said long delays throughout Friday were likely.
Outside lanes will remain closed for longer because the central reservation needs to be repaired and motorists have been advised to avoid the area if possible.
The crash caused major congestion on the M6, M5 and M42 and the Highways Agency said more long delays were predicted as the Friday afternoon rush-hour began.
Birmingham City Council said all major A roads near the crash scene had been congested.Birmingham City Council said all major A roads near the crash scene had been congested.
Accident investigators and vehicle recovery teams are on the M6, while 100m of all four lanes of the southbound carriageway were being resurfaced. Accident investigators and vehicle recovery teams were called to the scene of the crash, while 100m of all four lanes of the southbound carriageway were being resurfaced.
Nigel Southam, from West Midlands Fire Service, said: "The crash has covered all the lanes of the M6." West Midlands Fire Service sent six crews to the scene and firefighters freed several people who were trapped in their vehicles.
The service sent six crews to the scene and firefighters freed several people who were trapped in their vehicles. It said the lorries were not carrying hazardous loads.
Mr Southam added the lorries were not carrying hazardous loads.