Woman thrown 30ft from vehicle in two-car smash on M6

The air ambulance and other emergency services were called to the scene on the northbound carriageway between junctions five and six shortly before 7.50am.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "On arrival, crews discovered two cars that had been involved in a significant collision, one of which had seen the engine ripped out after colliding with a barrier. The engine reportedly landed 150m from where the initial point of contact took place.

"There were three women travelling in that vehicle, one of whom had been ejected through the windscreen as a result of the incident.

"The woman, believed to be in her 20s, had a reduced level of consciousness and had suffered serious head and back injuries. She was immobilised with the use of a neck collar and spinal board and transported by land ambulance to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.

"The doctor travelled on the back of the ambulance to continue treatment on route. Her injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

"The two other occupants, also both believed to be in their 20s, were out of the vehicle when ambulance crews arrived and had suffered less significant head and back injuries. They were also immobilised with the use of a neck collar and spinal board and taken to City Hospital, Birmingham, by land ambulance.

"The driver of the second car, a man in his 30s, was treated for minor chest injuries before being taken to Heartlands as a precaution.

"Despite one of the women having suffered serious injuries, all three are incredibly lucky not to have suffered life-threatening injuries given the nature of the collision.

"The emergency services worked extremely well together at the incident with particular thanks going to the fire service for their assistance in treating two of the patients.

"The incident caused the motorway to be closed in both directions, leading to a build-up of traffic problems in both directions."