A motorist died on the M54 after his Renault Megane left the road and ploughed into a tree. The motorway near Wolverhampton was closed for several hours.

A passenger was also injured in the accident yesterday.

A section of the westbound motorway was closed between junctions 2 and 3 and motorists.

Fire crews, ambulance services, the Midlands Air Ambulance and the police all attended the accident which happened at 2.50pm

Steve Parry, spokesman for the West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “On arrival at the scene crews found a single car that had left the carriageway and was found up an embankment. The car was found to have been in collision with a number of trees.

“The driver, a man, was immediately assessed by crews but unfortunately nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed deceased at the scene.”

Drivers were diverted along the A449 with some suffering long delays.

Wolverhampton office worker David Briggs, aged 39, said: “I was going home to Ironbridge at 5pm and it took me two hours instead of the usual 40 minutes.”