Woman airlifted with potentially life-changing injuries after crash between van and car transporter on M42

Emergency services were called to reports of a crash on the northbound M42 between Junctions 6 and 7 near Birmingham Airport at around 1.40pm on Tuesday.

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "On arrival, crews discovered a van and a lorry had been involved in a collision.

"The passenger of the van, a woman, had to be extricated from the vehicle with the assistance of fire colleagues. Ambulance crews provided advanced trauma care for potentially life-changing injuries before she was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for further treatment.

“The driver of the van, a man, was assessed and treated for injuries not believed to be serious before being conveyed by land ambulance to the same hospital. There were no other injured patients."

West Midlands Police are now appealing for witnesses of the crash to aid their inquiries.

Det Sgt Paul Hughes from the serious collision investigation unit, said: "I’m really keen to hear from any witnesses or anyone with dash cam footage.

"In particular, I’m trying to identify the driver of a blue articulated HGV curtainside trailer which was in lane one just in front of the vehicles involved when the collision occurred. This person could be a key witness."

Anyone with information has been asked to get in touch with the force via Live Chat on their website, quoting log 2204.

As a result of the incident, the southbound carriageway was closed to allow Midlands Air Ambulance to land at the scene but has since reopened to traffic.

National Highways said that the northbound side of the road between Junctions 6 and 7 is likely to remain closed for several hours whilst emergency services remain in attendance.

Motorists wishing to travel north are currently being diverted off the M42 at Junction 6 and onto the A45 eastbound, then onto the A452 towards the A446 and back on the M42 at junction 9 for the Dunton Interchange.

Drivers have been advised to check live traffic conditions before setting off at trafficengland.com