This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-england-birmingham-17433061
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
M42 bridge-fall van crash: Birmingham driver dies | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The driver of a van that crashed through a bridge above the M42 in the West Midlands and landed on the motorway below has died in hospital. | |
His van struck a lorry, another van and a car after it fell 30ft (9.1m) on to the carriageway, at 13:45 GMT, between junctions seven and six southbound. | |
The driver, a 35-year-old man from Shard End, Birmingham, suffered fatal head and abdominal injuries. | |
He died whilst undergoing emergency surgery, police said. | |
The M42 was closed after the crash but has since fully reopened. | The M42 was closed after the crash but has since fully reopened. |
A West Midlands Police (WMP) spokesman said an investigation is under way but they believed the man, who had been driving a Nissan Cabstar van, lost control of the vehicle. | |
'Completely demolished' | 'Completely demolished' |
He crashed off the A452 bridge on to the motorway between junction seven, where the M42 and M6 meet, and junction six, at Birmingham Airport. | |
Eyewitness Kim Yeomans, who was travelling on the M42, earlier said: "The only thing that's left of this truck is half of the cab. | |
"The rest of it's completely demolished." | "The rest of it's completely demolished." |
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said that before crews arrived, the driver had been helped by bystanders after being found lying on the carriageway. | |
"He had suffered significant head and abdominal injuries," she said. | |
"Due to the nature of the man's injuries, the doctors decided to anaesthetise him on scene to help stabilise his serious condition. | "Due to the nature of the man's injuries, the doctors decided to anaesthetise him on scene to help stabilise his serious condition. |
"The medics and crews worked as a team to deliver emergency treatment before immobilising the man with a neck collar and spinal board." | |
'Great courage' | |
However, the man later died, after being taken to University Hospital in Coventry. | |
"Two men from the lorry suffered from the effects of shock and minor injuries and a man from the car suffered back pain in the collision," the spokeswoman added. | |
"All three were checked over by ambulance staff and a medic but did not require hospital treatment." | "All three were checked over by ambulance staff and a medic but did not require hospital treatment." |
Sgt David Lawrence, of WMP, said praised members of the public "who demonstrated great courage" by helping at the scene. | |
"I would [also] like to thank... those drivers who demonstrated great patience when unable to continue their journey for a significant period of time. | |
"Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the driver." |