The M6 was closed in both directions today following a serious crash in which one lorry burst into flames after colliding with another in freezing temperatures.

A driver had to smash his way out of his cab despite suffering burns and having two broken legs. Rescuers found him on the hard shoulder.

The smash caused southbound delays of more than an hour and congestion on surrounding roads as motorists attempted to find alternative routes.

Two lorries crashed between Junctions 3 and 3A, close to Corley services of the M6 at 6.10am.

The vehicles, both thought to have been travelling in the same direction caused a fire after the crash, forcing a complete closure of the motorway.

The injured driver managed to smash his way out of the cab before falling on to the carriageway.

Tailbacks built up for more than six miles along the M6 southbound, backing up past Castle Bromwich, and the M42 southbound following the crash.

The southbound carriageway was closed completely for two hours and 20 minutes, with just one lane, lane three opened at 8.30am.

The motorway was closed northbound for 30 minutes, between junctions 4 and 3A reopening at 6.40am.

Slip roads at Junction 7A of the M42 heading northbound onto the M6 southbound and Junction 4A from the M42 northbound to the M6 southbound were still closed this morning.

Gritters were called after water used by fire crews froze on to the carriageway.

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman Claire Thomas said: “Two lorries had collided, one driver was badly burnt. Its driver, a man in his thirties, had managed to get out of the cab. Crews found him on the hard shoulder. He had burns and both his legs were broken.”He was taken to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire. The other driver was not injured.