A stretch of the Black Country Route was closed briefly today after an articulated lorry crashed and overturned.

The driver was taken to hospital with suspected back injuries following the accident, which happened just before 4.55am near The Lunt island in Bilston.

The wreckage of the white Scania landed along the grass verge of the road. As the carriageway was not blocked to traffic, police did not initially have to shut the road.

Wolverhampton City Council was closing off the scene after rush hour this morning to recover the lorry.

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman Suzi Fothergill said the driver, aged in his 40s, was taken to Walsall Manor Hospital complaining of back pain after being treated at the scene. She added the driver had got himself out of the lorry by the time the crew arrived.

West Midlands Police spokesman Steve Garey said: “The lorry was on its side on a grass verge at the side of the road, but it was not blocking the road. Police left the scene at 6.45am and handed over to the local authority, which was removing the vehicle.”

Fire crews from Bilston and Walsall also attendedt. Firefighters worked to secure the lorry before handing over to police.