Monday 3rd October 2016 – 4.40pm – Claire Brown.
Whilst ambulance staff dealt with a minor RTC on one side of the motorway, another more serious RTC happened on the northbound carriageway on the m42 which left four people needing hospital treatment.
West Midlands Ambulance Service had initially responded an ambulance to a two vehicle collision on the southbound carriageway of the M42 just after 1.30pm. The ambulance crew assessed all patients involved and thankfully no one required hospital treatment. As the crew cleared from that case, they were made aware of a second RTC on the opposite carriageway by passing drivers. The Trust’s control room then received a 999 call from West Midlands Police confirming a multiple vehicle RTC between junctions 5 and 6 of the M42 northbound at around 1.50pm.
Four ambulances and a paramedic area support officer were sent to the scene. Police and fire were also responded and provided assistance in the initial treatment of casualties.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “The collision involved a HGV, three vans and a car. The vehicles involved had sustained significant damage.
“The driver of the HGV, a man in his 50s, sustained no apparent injuries but upon assessment his condition concerned ambulance staff and he was taken to Good Hope Hospital for further checks. The driver of the car, an 18-year-old woman, was fully assessed by ambulance staff but escaped with just minor injuries and was discharged on scene.
“The driver of one van, a man believed to be in his late 20s, was stable and alert but ambulance staff were concerned he may have suffered internal injuries due to the damage caused to his van in the collision. He was fully immobilised before being alerted on blue lights by land ambulance to Heartlands Hospital.
“A second van driver, a man in his 50s, sustained severe neck pain. Ambulance staff immobilised him with a neck collar and spinal board and he was taken to Sandwell Hospital.
“The occupants of the third van, two men, received treatment on scene. The passenger was discharged whilst the driver suffered a shoulder injury and was taken to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch for further care.
“With the number of casualties involved, it was a team effort between ambulance staff, police and fire colleagues to ensure the patients received prompt care.”
ENDS
Photographs – Credit West Midlands Ambulance Service