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Huge M6 delays as two police officers seriously injured in crash

A crash which seriously injured two police officers closed the M6 in Staffordshire for more than six hours this morning, causing long tailbacks for motorists.

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Gridlock on the M6 after an early hours crash closed the southbound carriageway

Two male traffic officers were badly wounded when their vehicle crashed with a Citroen Berlingo van and ended up off the southbound motorway near Stafford at around 3.45am.

Both men, who are part of the Central Motorway Police Group team, were taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital where their condition is said to be serious but stable and not life-threatening. The male driver of the Berlingo was treated and discharged at the scene.

The road reopened at around 10am, but long delays remained on the M6 and surrounding roads until the congestion cleared.

The southbound carriageway was shut between Junction 13 for Stafford and Junction 12 for Gailey between 4am and 10am while forensic officers examined the scene.

Despite a diversion along the A5 and A449, there were reports of delays of more than three hours on the route with disruption made worse by the wet conditions. One lane remained closed until noon while a damaged barrier was repaired.

Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and two doctors were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance spokesman said: “On arrival, crews discovered a van and a police car that had been in collision, the latter of which had left the road as a result and had two men inside.

“The driver had to be assisted out of the vehicle, whilst the passenger was able to get himself out.

“They were both treated for serious injuries at the scene before being transported to Royal Stoke University Hospital. Both were fully conscious throughout.

“Thankfully, their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

“The driver of the van, a man, was assessed and discharged at the scene.”

It comes two weeks after five people were killed in a crash between a lorry and a car, also on the southbound side of the motorway near Stafford.

A married couple were among the four women and one man who died when the Nissan Micra they were travelling in collided with a lorry on May 24, leading to the M6 being closed for around eight hours and causing huge delays for drivers.

Witnesses to today's crash are asked to contact Staffordshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 40 of June 6.

As a matter of procedure Staffordshire Police's Performance Assessment Unit has been informed of the incident.

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