Man and woman left with 'serious injuries' after multi-vehicle collision on M54 near Wolverhampton
A man and a woman were left with serious injuries after a multiple vehicle collision on the M54 left the motorway closed and long lines of traffic along diversions.
National Highways put out a message to drivers at 2.49pm on Friday to inform that the M54 was closed eastbound between junction 2 for Wolverhampton and junction 1 for Featherstone due to a serious collision at around 2pm.
It also said that Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Services and West Midlands Ambulance Services were at the scene and officers from National Highways were helping to assist with traffic management.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said that a woman who had been a passenger in one of the cars had sustained serious injuries, so received advanced trauma care from ambulance staff at the scene before being conveyed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further treatment.
It also said that a man who was the driver of one of the cars was assessed and had sustained potentially serious injuries and received treatment at the scene, while a child who was a passenger in one of the cars was assessed and had sustained minor injuries, with both being conveyed to New Cross Hospital for further assessment.
The closure of the M54 saw long lines of traffic forming on nearby roads, including in Featherstone, which is near junction 1, as diversions were put in place.
National Highways said the traffic event was expected to be cleared by between 7.45pm and 8pm.
A spokesman for National Highways said: "The M54 in Staffordshire is closed eastbound between junction 2 for Wolverhampton and junction 1 for Featherstone, due to a serious collision involving multiple vehicles which occurred shortly before 2pm this afternoon.
"Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Services and West Midlands Ambulance Services are on scene and National Highways Traffic Officers are also assisting with traffic management.
"Road users are advised to follow the hollow circle diversion symbol on road signs.
"They should exit the M54 eastbound at junction 2 and take 1st exit onto A449 Northbound, then continue on A449 northbound until Gailey Roundabout with A5 and take 3rd exit onto A5 eastbound.
"They should then continue on A5 until M6 junction 12, take 3rd exit onto A5 eastbound and continue on A5 until M6 junction 12 and take 3rd exit onto M6 southbound, then continue on the M6 until past junction 10A to continue M6 southbound.
"If this incident impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time."
A spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “We were called shortly before 2pm to a road traffic collision involving two cars and a lorry on the M54 between junctions 2 and 1 in Featherstone, Wolverhampton.
"Two ambulances, two paramedic officers and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford attended the scene.
"Upon arrival we found four patients. Firstly, a woman who was a passenger in one of the cars.
"She was assessed and had sustained serious injuries.
"She received advanced trauma care from ambulance staff at the scene before being conveyed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further treatment.
"A man who was the driver of one of the cars was assessed and had sustained potentially serious injuries. He received treatment at the scene.
"A child who was a passenger in one of the cars was assessed and had sustained minor injuries.
"Both were conveyed to New Cross Hospital for further assessment.
"A man who was the driver of the lorry was assessed and had sustained injuries not believed to be serious.
"He received treatment at the scene along with self care advice before being discharged at the scene.”
Staffordshire Police and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue have been contacted for a comment.
A spokeswoman for Staffordshire Police said: "We are appealing for witnesses following a serious collision on the M54 near Cannock.
"We were called shortly before 2pm today to the M54 eastbound between junctions two and one following reports of a collision.
"Three vehicles were involved.
"Officers attended alongside colleagues from West Midlands Ambulance Service and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
"One woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
"Another person was treated for a suspected broken arm while another sustained minor injuries.
"We closed the road while emergency services attended the scene.
"Diversions remain in place while recovery of the vehicles is arranged.
"Drivers are urged to take alternative routes.
"Anyone who saw what happened or who may have relevant dashcam footage should contact us on 101 quoting incident number 381 of 1 August.
"Alternatively, email collision investigators directly at ciu@staffordshire.police.uk."
