M50 crash passenger still fighting for life
West Mercia Police has given a fresh update on three men in a serious Midlands motorway crash. The smash led to the M50 near the Worcestershire[1] border south of Malvern hills being shut for nine hours as firefighters battled to save a man trapped in a van.
The Air Ambulance was scrambled to the van, which had left the westbound carriageway before smashing into a tree at 2.45pm on Monday(February 26). One man, who was a passenger and in his 30s, was severely injured and trapped in the wreckage.
He was airlifted to hospital with "potentially life-threatening injuries" to Southmead Hospital in Bristol, where he is today still fighting for his life.
Two others - the driver and another passenger also believed to be in their 30s - suffered serious injuries and needed to be admitted to Hereford County Hospital by paramedics. The van was the only vehicle involved in the accident.
A West Mercia Police[3] spokesperson gave an update on the men today(Wednesday, February 28). They gave positive news saying: "There hasn’t been any deterioration in the condition of any of the three men."
They added that officers received reports of a single-vehicle crash on the M50 westbound between Junction 2 for Ledbury and Junction 3 for Newent. The busy motorway was closed for emergency services to help the injured and the air ambulance to land. The stretch could then not reopen while they carried out crash investigation and recovery work.
Traffic built up as the closure crept up to nine hours as there was also a vehicle fire at the spot after the crash. The M50 section of road didn't fully return to normal until around midnight yesterday morning(Tuesday, February 28).
Motorists were warned to avoid the area through the afternoon and evening or sent on lengthy diversions. Issues were exacerbated by the M50 eastbound carriageway also closed at Junction 4 for several hours.
A Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "The incident involved one van with a male casualty trapped and extricated by the fire service."
QUIZ: Would you be able to pass your driving test?[4]
West Midlands Ambulance Service[5] added: "Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham were sent to the scene where, on arrival, crews discovered a car had come off the road and hit a tree and there were three male patients.
"The first, a passenger, was treated for serious injuries and airlifted to Southmead Hospital for further treatment."
References
- ^ Worcestershire (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Animal sanctuary ‘devastated’ by shop closure after ‘too good to be true’ offer costs them £6K (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ West Mercia Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Would you be able to pass your driving test? (xd.wayin.com)
- ^ West Midlands Ambulance Service (www.birminghammail.co.uk)