Crash cyclist fights for life
A cyclist was fighting for his life today after a crash involving a lorry which caused traffic chaos around Kidderminster.
Five-mile long tailbacks built up around the town after the collision between the bike and an articulated lorry near the Hoobrook traffic island.
The injured cyclist, a 40-year-old Kidderminster man, suffered multiple injuries.
A doctor and paramedics gave him emergency medical treatment at the scene. They arrived by County Air Ambulance at 4.40pm yesterday. The cyclist was airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham.
Police closed the Kidderminster-bound carriageway from Summerfield, at the junction of Stanklyn Lane down to the Hoobrook island, for several hours while officers carried out detailed investigations.
Road diversions were set up and commuters travelling from Kidderminster towards Hartlebury, Worcester, Bromsgrove and the M5 were forced to make detours.
Drivers travelling towards Kidderminster and onto Wolverhampton were caught in the snarl-up which built up along all routes leading into the town from Bromsgrove and Worcester.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "A doctor and ambulance crews worked skilfully together to deliver the best extensive emergency treatment to the man at the scene.
Motorist Mrs Alexander Walker, aged 30, of Coningsby Drive, Kidderminster, who was caught in the jams, said: "People just could not get onto the roundabout off Park Street at the top of the Park Butts Ringway and were queuing in Park Street."
Police appealed for witnesses to call 0300 333 3000.
Picture by reader Roy Hart.
