A driver escaped serious injury when he was trapped in the wreckage of a crash between his van and a lorry which forced road closures in the Black Country.

The van driver, a man in his 60s, had to be cut free from the Citroen Berlingo van by fire crews following the smash in Balds Lane, Lye, Stourbridge.

He was taken to Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, as a precaution and to ensure he had suffered no internal damage.

The crash happened at 11.45am yesterday near the road’s junction with The Hayes. Hayes Lane, Balds Lane and part of The Hayes had to be closed off as the driver was released from the vehicle, reopening at 1pm.

The air ambulance from Cosford was sent to the scene — landing on the car park of the nearby Andyfreight firm, in Folkes Road but was not needed.

Police launched an investigation into the cause of the crash and remained at the scene for more than an hour.