Long delays as M6 closes after van and lorry crash
Traffic came to a standstill on the M6 for more than an hour today after the motorway was shut in both directions following a collision between a lorry and a van.
moreThe accident on the southbound carriageway at 9.30am initially forced the closure of just two lanes.
[gallery]
However a total blockage was put in place to allow an air ambulance to land at the location, between junction nine at Wednesbury and junction 10 for Wolverhampton.
Fire crews rescued the driver of the van who was trapped by his legs inside the vehicle. The severity of his injuries is not yet known. The motorway was shut at 10am.
The northbound carriageway was reopened just after 11am when lane one and the hard shoulder on the opposite side were also opened.
Problems for motorists were exacerbated when emergency services were sent to deal with a car fire near to junction 11 for Cannock. One lane was closed for about an hour.
[tweet id="408557952413753345"]
Crews from Cannock and Chasetown were alerted at 10.52am to a car that was 'well alight', Staffordshire Fire Service spokeswoman Michelle Hunt said.
Long tailbacks built up while firefighters tackled the blaze.
