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-17497711

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
M5 crash leaves coach passenger dead and 39 others hurt M5 crash leaves coach passenger dead and 39 others hurt
(39 minutes later)
One person died and 39 others were hurt when a coach and lorry crashed on the M5 in the West Midlands.One person died and 39 others were hurt when a coach and lorry crashed on the M5 in the West Midlands.
The motorway was shut after the collision at 06:24 GMT which happened southbound close to Frankley services between junctions 3 and 4. The motorway was shut after the collision in foggy conditions on the southbound carriageway, between junctions 3 and 4 at 06:24 GMT.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said it had treated 40 adults at the scene, but one coach passenger died. Police said a 35-year-old man from Birmingham, who was on the coach, had died. Another coach passenger and the lorry driver were seriously hurt.
Police said another coach passenger and the lorry driver were seriously hurt. The road has now reopened northbound. West Midlands Ambulance Service said it had treated 40 adults at the scene.
Twenty-seven of the injured were transferred to nearby hospitals including Queen Elizabeth Hospital and City Hospital in Birmingham, Alexandra Hospital in Redditch and Sandwell Hospital.Twenty-seven of the injured were transferred to nearby hospitals including Queen Elizabeth Hospital and City Hospital in Birmingham, Alexandra Hospital in Redditch and Sandwell Hospital.
A coach passenger said they had been travelling from Birmingham to Evesham when the vehicle broke down. The road has now reopened northbound.
He said that about 10 minutes later, the lorry struck the coach from behind while it was stationary on the hard shoulder, shunting the bus towards the central reservation. A coach passenger said they had been travelling from Birmingham to Evesham when the vehicle broke down, close to Frankley services.
There were foggy conditions in the area and the crash happened on a section of the motorway where roadworks are being carried out. He said that about 10 minutes later, the lorry struck the coach from behind while it was stationary, shunting the bus towards the central reservation.
The southbound side of the motorway remains shut. The crash happened on a section of the motorway where roadworks are being carried out.
The southbound side of the motorway remains shut and police said it was unlikely to re-open until the end of the day "at the earliest".
West Midlands Police said it had been receiving calls from worried parents and wanted to stress that no children were involved in the crash.West Midlands Police said it had been receiving calls from worried parents and wanted to stress that no children were involved in the crash.
Eyewitness Paul Guppy said: "I was driving past this at about twenty to seven.Eyewitness Paul Guppy said: "I was driving past this at about twenty to seven.
"I was going north and on the south side, just after junction 3, there was a single-decker bus mounted up against the crash barrier with a lorry wedged into the back of it."I was going north and on the south side, just after junction 3, there was a single-decker bus mounted up against the crash barrier with a lorry wedged into the back of it.
"And it completely blocked the whole three lanes."And it completely blocked the whole three lanes.
"There was fog patches, 'cos I was driving through it with my fog lights on."There was fog patches, 'cos I was driving through it with my fog lights on.
"That area is renowned for heavy fog... it was quite horrendous at the time.""That area is renowned for heavy fog... it was quite horrendous at the time."
West Midlands Ambulance Service earlier tweeted: "Whilst the majority of patients appear to be walking wounded there are a small number with potentially serious injuries."West Midlands Ambulance Service earlier tweeted: "Whilst the majority of patients appear to be walking wounded there are a small number with potentially serious injuries."
Steve Wheaton from, West Midlands Ambulance Service, said the outcome could have been far worse.Steve Wheaton from, West Midlands Ambulance Service, said the outcome could have been far worse.
He said: "The weather this morning has not been in our favour, in that it was very, very foggy at the time the incident occurred.He said: "The weather this morning has not been in our favour, in that it was very, very foggy at the time the incident occurred.
"Fortunately, in many ways, whilst we have had a fatality and some serious injuries, the motorway was reasonably quiet at that time in the morning, so further loss of life or serious casualties may have been avoided.""Fortunately, in many ways, whilst we have had a fatality and some serious injuries, the motorway was reasonably quiet at that time in the morning, so further loss of life or serious casualties may have been avoided."
West Midlands Police advised drivers to travel on the M6 and M42 to avoid the M5.West Midlands Police advised drivers to travel on the M6 and M42 to avoid the M5.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this crash? You can send us your experiences using the form below.Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this crash? You can send us your experiences using the form below.