Wednesday 23rdrd December 2015 – 2.20pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.
A lorry driver’s decision to get out of his broken down vehicle and move to safety has quite possibly saved his life following a collision on the region’s motorways this morning.
A car transporter collided with the stationary lorry on the northbound carriageway of the M6, on the link road to the southbound M5 just after 10.30am.
The collision caused extensive damage to the lorry whilst the car transporter left the road, smashed through a motorway barrier and travelled approximately 40ft down an embankment, finally coming to rest in a wooded area.
West Midlands Ambulance Service sent an ambulance and a paramedic officer to the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Both men are extremely lucky to be alive.
“The stationary lorry has suffered significant damage in the collision, having the side and roof completely ripped off. The driver’s decision to move away from his vehicle has undoubtedly saved him from significant injuries, if not saved his life.
“A man in his 40s and a man in his 50s, the latter of whom was driving the car transporter, amazingly both escaped with very minor injuries in the incident which had the potential to be so much worse.
“We would urge all motorists to follow the lorry driver’s lead and move well clear of your vehicle should you break down, moving behind any roadside barriers if there are any in the vicinity.”
Ends
Notes to Editors:
If used, please credit the images to West Midlands Ambulance Service.