Motorists were hit by traffic chaos and tailbacks of up to 10 miles after two lorries crashed on the M6.

The northbound section of the carriageway between junction 5 and 6 near Castle Bromwich and the Fort Shopping Centre were closed after an accident at 2.30pm yesterday.

The tarmac was so severely damaged the two inner lanes last night had to be resurfaced.

The accident happened after the two heavy goods vehicles collided.

Claire Thomas, spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “Crews arrived to find a lorry which had overturned onto its side and collided with the nearside barrier.

“The lorry was carrying a cargo of cattle feed which had been strewn across all three lanes of the motorway.

“The driver of the lorry, a man believed to be in his 40s, was ejected from the cab in the crash and was on the hard shoulder with serious arm and head injuries.

“Crews immediately commenced treatment on the man before he was immobilised with a neck collar and spinal board and flown to Selly Oak Hospital for further assessment and treatment.

“Police closed the opposite side of the M6 to enable the air ambulance to land on the carriageway.

“Considering the crash happened on an elevated stretch of the motorway, there was potential for this incident to be much more serious.”

Highways Agency spokesman Anthony Aston said the traffic was backed up as far as junction 4 at the M42 and motorists were being diverted along the M42 and M5.

Picture courtesy of West Midlands Ambulance Service.